South Africa suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of 10-man Egypt in their second Group B match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), played at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir on Friday.
Mohamed Salah’s penalty late in the first half decided the game in favour of the Pharaohs – who have become the first team to guarantee a spot in the knockout rounds – but Bafana Bafana will be frustrated at their inability to capitalise on a numerical advantage in the second stanza after Mohamed Hany saw red just before the interval.
Egypt settled the quicker of the two teams and began to create dangerous attacking opportunities, including a Mohamed Hany cross which was just beyond an unmarked Mohamed Salah in the danger area, as well as an Omar Marmoush shot direct from a free kick which flashed just wide of the target midway through the first half.
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South Africa gradually gained a foothold in the game but had only one effort on goal, a tame shot from Lyle Foster which was easily saved by Mohamed El Shenawy just before the half-hour mark.
A dramatic end to the first half followed, with Egypt claiming the lead, before almost immediately being reduced to 10 men.
First, the Pharaohs were awarded a penalty – via VAR review – after Khuliso Mudau needlessly caught Mohamed Salah in the face in a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge in the 18-yard area. Salah himself coolly converted from the spot, fooling Ronwen Williams with a ‘Panenka’ finish, for 1-0 in the 45th minute.
Yet just a couple of minutes later, Hany – already on a yellow card – stomped on Teboho Mokoena’s foot in a challenge on the sideline and was deservedly cautioned for a second time, thereby earning an early shower and leaving Egypt with just 10 men heading into the interval.
South Africa bossed possession from the start of the second half, but Egypt had the first clear chance after the restart, with a quickly-taken free kick putting substitute Emam Ashour free down the right of the penalty area, but his deflected shot was saved by the legs of Williams in the 60th minute.
Bafana Bafana were close to an equaliser in the 74th minute when Mudau drove a low shot on target from the edge of the penalty area, but El Shenawy made an excellent save low to his right.
Further chances followed, which were all turned away by El Shenawy, but drama arrived in the dying minutes when an appeal for a penalty went to a VAR review – this time in favour of South Africa for a hand-ball by Yasser Ibrahim just inside the 18-yard area.
However, after viewing replays, the referee decided against awarding a spot kick to the team in yellow and green.
The teams will conclude their Group B campaigns on Monday 29 December: Egypt face Angola in Agadir, and South Africa will battle regional rivals Zimbabwe in Marrakesh.
EGYPT (1) 1 (SALAH 45’ PEN)
SOUTH AFRICA 0
Egypt: M. El Shenawy, M. Hany, Y. Ibrahim, R. Rabia, M. Hamdi, M. Attia, Zizo (M. Lasheen 80’), H. Fathy, M. Salah (O. Faisal 89’), O. Marmoush (E. Ashour 46’), Trezeguet (M. Shehata 80’)
South Africa: R. Williams, K. Mudau, S. Ngezana, M. Mbokazi, A. Modiba, T. Mbatha (S. Mbule 46’), T. Mokoena, S. Sithole (E. Makgopa 75’), A. Appollis (R. Mofokeng 69’), T. Moremi (E. Mokwana 80’), L. Foster