AFCON 2025: Mo Salah's penalty earns 10-man Egypt round of 16 qualification against South Africa

Egypt dug deep to survive a relentless second-half onslaught from South Africa, securing a hard-earned 1–0 victory in a pulsating Group B clash at Adrar Stadium that confirmed their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 with a game to spare.

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A first-half Mohamed Salah penalty proved decisive as the record African champions showcased defensive resilience and tactical discipline to weather wave after wave of South African pressure, sealing a second successive win and maximum points in the ongoing championship.

The result propelled Egypt to the summit of Group B with six points, making them the first nation to officially book a knockout berth ahead of their final group encounter against Angola.

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The encounter marked the 15th meeting between the two sides in all competitions and their fourth at the Africa Cup of Nations, adding another chapter to a rivalry steeped in history.

Egypt came into the match buoyed by past continental success against Bafana Bafana, having defeated them in 1996 and 1998, while South Africa drew confidence from their memorable 2019 Round of 16 triumph, where they eliminated Egypt on home soil.

With both teams having opened their campaigns with identical 2–1 victories, Egypt overcoming Zimbabwe and South Africa dispatching Angola, the stakes were high as both nations sought a second straight win and early qualification.

The match burst into life from the outset. Inside ten minutes, Egypt nearly struck first when Yasser Ibrahim split the midfield with a precise pass to Mohamed Hany, whose whipped cross found Salah arriving late, only for the Liverpool star to miss a tap-in as Ronwen Williams stood firm.

South Africa responded swiftly. In the 13th minute, Tshepang Moremi latched onto a clever lay-off from Oswin Appollis, but his effort drifted wide from the edge of the box.

Egypt continued to threaten from set pieces. Rami Rabia went close with a diving header after being picked out by Ahmed Fatouh, before Omar Marmoush narrowly missed the target from a dangerous free-kick position in the 21st minute.

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South Africa grew into the contest midway through the half.

Aubrey Modiba unleashed a thunderous strike from a loose ball that tested Mohamed El-Shenawy, while moments later, Khuliso Mudau forced the Egyptian goalkeeper into a full-stretch save with a curling effort from the flank.

Despite South Africa’s growing influence, Egypt struck the crucial blow seven minutes before the interval.

After a lengthy VAR review, Khuliso Mudau was adjudged to have fouled Salah in the build-up, handing Egypt a penalty.

The two-time African Player of the Year stepped up and calmly sent Williams the wrong way to break the deadlock.

Drama followed in stoppage time as Egypt were reduced to ten men.

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Mohamed Hany received a second yellow card for a reckless stamp on Teboho Mokoena, leaving the Pharaohs to play the entire second half a man down.

With the numerical advantage, Bafana Bafana emerged from the break with renewed intent, dominating possession and piling pressure on Egypt’s defensive lines.

Eight minutes after the restart, Appollis danced past defenders down the left before whipping in a teasing cross that nearly crept in, only for El-Shenawy to backpedal and tip the ball to safety.

Despite being pinned back, Egypt nearly doubled their advantage in the 67th minute.

Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” slipped through the South African defence and aimed a low drive between Williams’ legs, but the experienced Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper reacted sharply with a strong block.

South Africa continued to knock on the door. Modiba fired over from range, Moremi attempted an audacious overhead kick that skimmed wide, and Mudau came agonisingly close with a powerful strike inside the box, only to be denied by yet another outstanding save from El-Shenawy.

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A slick move in Egypt’s six-yard area saw Lyle Foster and Modiba combine cleverly, but El-Shenawy once again proved unbeatable with a point-blank save.

Late drama ensued when South Africa appealed for a penalty after Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball inside the box from Teboho Mokoena's strike

However, following a prolonged VAR review, the decision was overturned, much to Egypt’s relief.

Despite sustained pressure in the dying moments, Egypt held firm, repelling attack after attack to claim a priceless victory that underlined their pedigree and defensive grit.

The win not only sealed early qualification but also reaffirmed Egypt’s status as serious contenders, while South Africa were left to rue missed opportunities despite a dominant second-half display.

Egypt now head into their final group match against Angola with confidence and momentum, while Bafana Bafana must regroup quickly against Zimbabwe as the battle for knockout qualification intensifies.