Mohamed Salah once again found the moment when Egypt needed him most. His first-half penalty proved enough as Egypt edged South Africa 1–0 at AFCON 2025, becoming the tournament’s first team to book a place in the knockout rounds.
The result came on a dramatic night in Agadir, shaped by a red card, disputed refereeing calls, and the kind of pressure that never seems to faze Egypt’s talisman.
A penalty, a red card, and a nervy night in Agadir
Egypt struck just before halftime, and the timing mattered. After sustained pressure, the referee pointed to the spot, and Mohamed Salah stepped up with his usual calm.
He sent the goalkeeper the wrong way in the 45th minute. Simple finish. Huge moment.
Seconds later, the match tilted again. Right-back Mohamed Hany picked up a second yellow card for a late stamp deep into stoppage time. Egypt were suddenly down to 10 men, heading into the break with a slim lead and plenty to defend.
From there, the game slowed, tightened, and turned edgy. South Africa pushed higher. Egypt dropped deeper. Every challenge felt heavier.
It was one of those games where the clock becomes an opponent.
Egypt defend deep as pressure builds
The second half belonged mostly to South Africa in terms of territory. They pressed wide, sent balls into the box, and tried to stretch a tiring Egyptian back line.
Egypt, though, stayed organised.
Centre-backs threw themselves into blocks. Midfielders tracked runners until legs burned. Goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy stayed alert without being spectacular.
Then came the flashpoint.
Late in the match, South Africa appealed loudly for a penalty after Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball inside the box. Replays suggested contact. The referee waved play on. VAR did not intervene.
The decision sparked fury on the South African bench.
For Egypt, it was relief, mixed with urgency. The final minutes felt long. Very long.
When the whistle finally went, Egyptian players collapsed to the turf. They knew what the win meant.
Salah’s return carries extra weight
Salah arrived at AFCON with noise following him. He had not started in five straight matches for Liverpool, and his omission led to visible frustration directed at manager Arne Slot.
That context followed him to Morocco.
Against South Africa, he looked sharp early. He nearly opened the scoring after 11 minutes but failed to reach a low cross in stride. Still, he stayed involved, drifting inside, drawing fouls, demanding the ball.
When the penalty came, there was never a doubt.
This was his second goal of the tournament, and another reminder that Egypt’s hopes remain closely tied to his influence. Even on a night when he didn’t dominate play, his contribution decided the result.
That’s what elite players do. They don’t always shine. They deliver.
Group B begins to take shape
With two wins from two matches, Egypt sit on six points in Group B and are guaranteed a top-two finish. That secures a place in the round of 16, regardless of what happens in the final group game.
South Africa remain on three points and still control their own fate, but the loss complicates things. They will likely need a result in their final match to avoid relying on other outcomes.
Earlier on Friday, Angola and Zimbabwe played out a 1–1 draw in Marrakesh, leaving both teams on one point each. That result effectively handed Egypt early qualification.
Here’s how Group B stands after two rounds:
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Egypt | 2 | 6 |
| South Africa | 2 | 3 |
| Angola | 2 | 1 |
| Zimbabwe | 2 | 1 |
The margins remain thin for everyone else.
Discipline, doubt, and tournament lessons
Egypt’s red card will raise questions. Playing an entire half with 10 men is risky business in tournament football, especially against physical opponents.
Coach Rui Vitória praised his side’s discipline afterward, but he will not enjoy reviewing moments where control slipped. Knockout matches punish lapses harder than group games.
South Africa, meanwhile, will feel aggrieved. They created pressure, forced the issue, and believed they deserved a penalty. Those moments linger.
But tournaments rarely reward fairness. They reward sharp edges.
Egypt, seven-time champions, know that better than most.
They didn’t play beautifully. They didn’t dominate. They survived.
And with Mohamed Salah converting when it mattered, survival was enough.
