Mohamed Salah scored the decisive goal as a 10-man Egypt defeated South Africa 1-0 in Agadir, becoming the first team from Group B to qualify for the knockout stage of AFCON 2025.

The Liverpool forward converted a penalty in the 45th minute, securing the win despite Egypt being reduced to 10 men late in the first half after right back Mohamed Hany received a second yellow card for a stamp.

Key Moments

• Salah was awarded the penalty after South Africa’s Khuliso Mudau struck him in the face during a contested challenge.
• The 45-year-old Egyptian goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy, made several crucial saves to maintain the lead, including stopping a low shot from Lyle Foster and an attempt by substitute Emam Ashour.
• Egypt’s captain, Salah, scored with a calm finish as Ronwen Williams dived in the wrong direction.
• South Africa had a late penalty appeal denied when Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball inside the box.

Egypt Clinches Knockout Qualification

After two rounds, Egypt leads Group B with six points, guaranteeing a top-two finish and a place in the round of 16. South Africa remain on three points, while Angola and Zimbabwe drew 1-1 in Marrakesh, leaving both teams two points behind Egypt and South Africa.

Angola and Zimbabwe Keep Hopes Alive

• Gelson Dala put Angola ahead in the 24th minute, only for veteran Knowledge Musona to equalize for Zimbabwe deep into first-half added time.
• Both teams are still in contention to progress, but a draw leaves them behind the group leaders.
• Key saves from Angola’s goalkeeper Hugo Marques kept Zimbabwe from taking the lead late in the match.

Looking Ahead

Egypt will enter the knockout stages with confidence after surviving a numerically superior South African side. Mohamed Salah’s penalty heroics and El Shenawy’s goalkeeping have reinforced Egypt’s status as seven-time AFCON champions.