Mohamed Salah celebrates the penalty that sent Egypt through to the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFP via Getty Images)
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A controversial Mohamed Salah penalty sent Egypt through to the last-16 of the Africa Cup of Nations despite being down to 10 men for the whole of the second half against South Africa, who were denied a penalty of their own right at the death.
After a cagey start, the game exploded into life towards the end of the first half as Salah was caught by a stray arm from South Africa defender Khuliso Mudau in the box. The VAR recommended an on-field review and a penalty was awarded, with Salah keeping cool to chip it down the middle.
South Africa were handed a lifeline on the brink of half-time when Egypt were reduced to 10 after Mohamed Hany picked up his second yellow card for mistiming a needless challenge on the touchline. Despite the numerical advantage, South Africa struggled to break Egypt down and Egypt were barely threatened.
But, deep in stoppage time, Egypt survived another VAR review after a shot from South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena struck a diving Yasser Ibrahim right on the edge of the box. Referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana, who initially gave a free-kick to South Africa, was sent to the pitch-side monitor, but reversed his decision and no penalty was awarded,
Egypt are now through to the last-16 with two wins from their first two games. South Africa will need a result against Zimbabwe to progress and set up a likely last-16 clash with Ivory Coast or Cameroon.
Follow all of the latest from the Africa Cup of Nations clash with our live blog below:
Mohamed Salah scored a first-half penalty as 10-man Egypt defeated South Africa 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash to become the first team into the knockout stages of the competition.
Egypt have six points from their opening two games and have won the group with a game to spare. South Africa have three points from their two games, while Zimbabwe and Angola have one each after they drew 1-1 earlier in the day.
Jamie Braidwood26 December 2025 17:58
Here’s what that has done to the Afcon Group B table:
Harry Latham-Coyle26 December 2025 17:20
The South Africa players, manager Hugo Broos and staff have a stern word or seven with referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana after the full-time whistle. Should they have had a penalty? It certainly looked like Yasser Ibrahim handled inside the box, but the officials decided that that the contact with the arm was incidental as he slid in to block.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle26 December 2025 17:09
Egypt top Group B and are officially through to the Round of 16 – but what drama at the end of either half against South Africa. Mohamed Salah’s spot-kick, awarded controversially after a VAR review after the Egypt captain was struck in the face, proves the difference, while Bafana Bafana may feel they should have had a penalty of their own after a hand-ball late on.
Amid it all, that was an impressive defensive performance from Egypt having seen Mohamed Hany dismissed just before the interval.
(AP)
Harry Latham-Coyle26 December 2025 17:05
Deflected just wide! A crisply-struck shot from Aubrey Modiba flicks the head of Yasser Ibrahim and away from goal – and a goal kick is erroneously given! That will be that, surely…
Harry Latham-Coyle26 December 2025 17:02
The clock moves towards the 100-minute mark. The end is surely near. Osama Faisal takes the ball to the left corner, Mohamed Shehata towards the right. Shehata cuts inside and shoots, perhaps foolishly, allowing South Africa at least one more attack.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 December 2025 17:00
What a chance! A completely free header for Siyabonga Ngezana, left all alone on the penalty spot, but it’s too weak and wayward, and Khuliso Mudau can’t beat Mohamed El Shenawy to the bouncing ball. The big centre-half had to do better.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 December 2025 16:58
