AFCON: Salah’s penalty sinks South Africa

Mohamed Salah scored a controversial first half penalty to lead ten-man Egypt to a 1-0 victory over South Africa in their second Group B encounter at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

The highlights of match at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir between two teams that won their first matches were controversial VAR decisions, including the penalty awarded to Egypt that led to the winning goal.

Both sides were scrappy at best in the early exchanges, and lacked quality in attacking decisions.

However, Omar Marmoush saw his free-kick from 20 yards curl just wide of the post for Egypt, while Lyle Foster responded for South Africa with a tame shot that was gathered by Mohammed El Shanawy.

The controversial moment came late in the first half, with the referee checking the pitch-side monitor for a possible penalty on Salah, who was adjudged to have been struck in the face by Khuliso Mudau as both players contested for the ball in the box.Salah expertly dispatched the 45th-minute spot-kick beyond Ronwen Williams for his second strike of the tournament, handing Egypt the match-winning goal. The Pharaohs were reduced to ten men just before the halftime break, Mohamed Hanny received a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Teboho Mokoena, gifting South Africa the numerical advantage in the second half.

Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana could not make the advantage count as the Pharaohs held on to seal the narrow win. Egypt, seven-time AFCON winners, have six points from two matches, and become the first nation to advance into the round of 16 stage.

In the other Group B match, Angola were held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe, and both sides are on one point apiece.

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