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El Samuels: MBN360 Sports
Mohamed Salah’s penalty goal secured Egypt’s 1-0 win over South Africa, booking their spot in the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. The Liverpool star converted the spot-kick on the stroke of half-time, sending goalkeeper Ronwen Williams the wrong way.
Egypt was reduced to 10 men in first half added time when right-back Mohamed Hany was shown a second yellow card for a stamp on Teboho Mokoena. Despite being a man down, Egypt held firm, with goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy making crucial saves to deny South Africa an equalizer.
South Africa had chances to score, but Egypt’s defense stood tall. The result leaves Egypt top of Group B with six points, while South Africa has three pointsambitions and marking Egypt’s first win over South Africa since 2006.
From the opening whistle, the match crackled with intensity as Egypt and South Africa traded blows in a bid to claim the top spot.
The Pharaohs controlled the early tempo, but South Africa’s resilience shone through, especially after Egypt’s Mohamed Hany picked up a straight red card in first-half injury time.
Reduced to 10 men, Egypt dug deep, with Salah stepping up to convert a spot-kick after a foul in the box, sending his side into halftime with a slender lead.
The second half belonged to South Africa, who dominated possession and peppered Egypt’s goal with relentless attacks, capitalizing on their numerical edge.
Bafana Bafana created several clear chances, but Egypt’s goalkeeper and backline stood firm, thwarting every threat.
The Pharaohs’ defensive masterclass frustrated their opponents, turning the game into a war of attrition that highlighted the tournament’s trademark drama.
This hard-fought triumph catapults Egypt to six points atop Group B, making them the first team to book a knockout berth in AFCON 2025.
South Africa, despite the heartbreak, showed glimpses of brilliance that could propel them forward in their final group game.
For the seven-time champions, Salah’s cool finish under pressure reaffirms their pedigree as contenders for a record-extending title.
