Egypt becomes the first nation to secure a place in the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after defeating South Africa 1–0 with ten men in a tense Group B encounter in Agadir on Friday evening.
In a contest expected to be finely balanced, Egypt national football team found the breakthrough just before half-time through captain Mohamed Salah.
The forward stepped up after VAR confirmed a penalty and calmly chipped his effort beyond Ronwen Williams, rewarding Egypt’s brighter first-half display.
Moments later, the match swung again when Mohamed Hany was dismissed for a second booking, leaving the Pharaohs to navigate the entire second half with a numerical disadvantage.
Head coach Hossam Hassan responded swiftly, reshaping his side to prioritise structure and defensive control. South Africa sought to capitalise, pushing higher and committing numbers forward.
The Bafana Bafana enjoyed sustained periods of pressure, but struggled to convert possession into clear chances, with goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy commanding his area and Egypt’s back line holding firm.
Despite their reduced numbers, Egypt remained a threat on the counter, using Salah’s movement and pace to relieve pressure and disrupt South Africa’s rhythm.
The match’s decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time when South Africa appealed for a penalty following a handball incident. After a lengthy VAR review, the referee waved play on, sparing Egypt late heartbreak.
The final whistle confirmed a victory of control rather than dominance. Egypt moved to six points at the top of Group B, securing early qualification and ending a long wait for a competitive win over South Africa.
Bafana Bafana, meanwhile, remain well placed to progress but were left to rue missed opportunities on a night when fine margins once again defined AFCON football.
