A second-half defensive masterclass from ten-man Egypt, spearheaded by a first-half Mohamed Salah penalty, was enough to secure a 1-0 victory over South Africa in Agadir on Friday. The win confirms Egypt as the first team to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah Spot-Kick Proves Decisive
The match's pivotal moment arrived in the first half when the prolific Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah, was caught in the face by South African defender Khuliso Mudau during a tussle in the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Salah, displaying his customary composure, stepped up to convert the penalty with ease, marking his second goal of the tournament.
Egypt's task was complicated just before the interval when right-back Mohamed Hany received a straight red card for a reckless stamp. Playing with a numerical disadvantage for the entire second half, The Pharaohs were forced to withstand sustained pressure from Bafana Bafana.
Egypt's Resilient Rearguard Action
South Africa launched wave after wave of attacks in search of an equaliser and believed they had won a penalty of their own for a handball incident. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the decision went in Egypt's favour, much to the relief of the seven-time champions.
The Egyptian defence held firm under intense pressure, organising superbly to protect their slender lead. The victory gives Egypt a perfect six points from their opening two Group B matches, making it impossible for them to finish outside the top two. South Africa remain on three points after their second fixture.
Group B Stalemate Leaves Angola and Zimbabwe on the Brink
Earlier in the day, Angola and Zimbabwe played out a 1-1 draw in a match that leaves both nations facing probable early elimination. Angola took the lead in the 24th minute through striker Gelson Dala, who latched onto a clever chipped pass from To Carneiro and finished at the near post.
The game was interrupted for a significant period after Angola's goalkeeper, Hugo Marques, suffered a cut above his eye following a clash of heads. He was patched up and continued, but was beaten in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time by Zimbabwe's veteran forward Knowledge Musona, who netted the equaliser.
Angola defender David Carmo was the hero late on, clearing the ball off his own line twice in quick succession to deny Zimbabwe a dramatic winner. First, he scrambled back to clear after a shot from substitute Tawanda Chirewa was saved, and moments later he made a crucial interception from a corner to stop Gerald Takwara.
The result leaves both teams with a single point from two games. Their paths to the last 16 are now extremely difficult. Angola must face group leaders Egypt in Agadir on Monday, while Zimbabwe take on neighbours South Africa in Marrakech, with both sides realistically needing a victory to have any chance of progression.
