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Mohamed Salah scored as 10-man Egypt beat South Africa 1-0 in Agadir, becoming the first qualifiers for the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Liverpool star converted a penalty in the 45th minute on Friday, and South Africa had a spot-kick denied late in the second half when Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball inside the box.
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Salah arrived in Morocco after not starting in five Liverpool matches and his omission led to an outburst against manager Arne Slot.
Egypt were reduced to 10 men in first-half injury time when right-back Mohamed Hany received a second yellow card for stamping, followed by a red.
After two rounds in Group B, seven-time world champions Egypt have six points and are assured of a top-two finish in the group stage and a place in the round of 16.
South Africa have three points, Angola and Zimbabwe one each after drawing 1-1 in Marrakech earlier on Friday.
The first chance fell to Salah after 11 minutes, but he couldn’t move forward quickly enough to connect with a low cross from Hany.
That the majority of the crowd were supporting the Pharaohs became evident soon after when the Burundian referee ignored Zizo’s calls for a free kick and loud whistles enveloped the stadium.
When Salah took a free kick into the heart of the South African box, three Egyptians rushed forward, but none could touch the ball.
By the middle of the first half, a trend had developed. Egypt advanced steadily while South Africa defended with calm and solid tackling.
When South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena fouled Omar Marmoush just outside the D, he received a yellow card. However, the Manchester City striker fired the resulting free-kick wide.
As the first half progressed, the sun rose over the southern coastal city – a welcome sight for players and spectators as many previous group matches were played out in torrential rain.
A rare South African attack ended in disappointing fashion when Lyle Foster unleashed a weak shot which was comfortably saved by 37-year-old Mohamed El Shenawy.
Benefiting from a free kick near the touchline, South Africa executed an intricate multi-pass move that ended meekly as El Shenawy latched on to a cross.
Salah was closely watched by Aubrey Modiba and, as half-time approached, the Liverpool star retreated into the Egyptian half to retain possession.
Then, as the Egypt captain chased down a loose ball with Khuliso Mudau, the South African right-back raised his left arm, striking Salah’s left eye.
Amid Egyptian protests, the Burundian referee saw the incident on a VAR monitor and pointed to the penalty spot.
A long delay before the kick was taken could not have calmed Salah’s nerves, but he comfortably converted the penalty as Ronwen Williams dived in the wrong direction.
Further drama erupted in added time when Hany stomped on Mokoena, resulting in a second yellow card for the defender.
South Africa, with a numerical advantage, attacked more as the second half progressed, but Egypt went close to a second goal with Williams beating substitute Emam Ashour after a quick free-kick.
El Shenawy showed his agility with 15 minutes to go, using his right hand to tip Foster’s low shot to safety. It was one of many saves that allowed Egypt to maintain its lead.
Angola and Zimbabwe keep CAN hopes alive
Veteran Knowledge Musona scored as Zimbabwe came from behind to draw 1-1 with Angola in Marrakech to kick off the second round of AFCON matches earlier in the day.
Gelson Dala gave Angola the lead midway through the first half and recalled Musona equalizing deep into first-half injury time.
A draw in Group B did not suit either team, leaving both teams two points behind joint leaders Egypt and South Africa having played a game more.
Only the top two from each group automatically qualify for the knockout stage. The top four third-placed teams from the six mini-leagues will also advance.
Bill Antonio missed a good chance to give Zimbabwe an early lead when he fired home from close range in front of a small crowd.
Angola quickly recovered to take control and took the lead after 24 minutes through Qatari striker Dala.
A superb lobbed pass from To Carneiro fell in front of Dala inside the box, and he squeezed the ball between the near post and 40-year-old goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Musona, one of four changes made to Zimbabwe’s line-up following a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in Agadir four days earlier, became increasingly involved as the Warriors sought an equalizer.
Musona wasted a free-kick opportunity by sending the ball into the defensive wall and then shot wide, much to the frustration of Romanian coach Marian Marinica, who shook her head repeatedly.
Hugo Marques, the 39-year-old Angolan goalkeeper, had his head heavily bandaged before continuing after a collision with an opponent.
Musona’s persistence finally paid off six minutes into added time at the end of the first half when he equalized.
After Angola were dispossessed in midfield, Zimbabwe counter-attacked quickly and a superb pass found Musona in the box.
He fired a slow shot between Carneiro’s legs and just wide of Marques’ outstretched right leg into the net.
With both teams looking for a second goal and the lead, Marques saved Angola 12 minutes from the end of regulation time with an acrobatic one-handed save on an attempt by substitute Tawanda Chirewa.
