Salah seals Egypt qualification with win against South Africa at AFCON 2025

Egypt’s 10-man team defeated South Africa 1-0 in Agadir to become the first to advance to the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

On Friday, Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball inside the box, and the Liverpool star converted a penalty in the final 45 minutes of play.

Salah skipped five Liverpool games to start for Morocco, which caused him to clash with manager Arne Slot.

When right back Mohamed Hany received a second yellow card for a stamp, followed by a red, in the first-half, Egypt were reduced to 10 men.

Egypt, the seven-time champions, are on a par with record seven points after two rounds in Group B, which guarantees a top-two group stage appearance and a spot in the round of 16.

After drawing 1-1 earlier on Friday in Marrakech, South Africa now has three points, along with Angola and Zimbabwe one each.

After 11 minutes, Salah had 11 chances, but he was unable to advance quickly enough to cross Hany’s low cross.

Soon after Zizo’s request for a free kick was ignored, loud whistling surrounded the stadium, which made it clear that the majority of the crowd was in favor of the Pharaohs.

Three Egyptians darted forward after Salah kicked a free kick into the South African area, but none of them could intercept the ball.

A pattern appeared about the halfway point of the opening period. South Africa defended with calm and effective tackling while Egypt was frequently moving forward.

Omar Marmoush was yellow-carded when Teboho Mokoena of South Africa fouled him just outside the D. The Manchester City striker did, however, fire wide with the resultant free kick.

With many earlier group games staged in torrential rain, the sun burst out in the southern coastal city as the first half progressed, which was a welcome sight for both players and spectators.

Lyle Foster struck a weak shot that Mohamed El Shenawy, 37, comfortably saved in a rare South African attack that came to an unexpected end.

South Africa won a free kick while holding a cross close to the touchline in a complex, multipass move that was subdued by El Shenawy.

As half-time approached, Salah retreated into the Egyptian half while being closely watched by Aubrey Modiba.

The South African right back raised his left arm as the Egypt captain chased a loose ball with Khuliso Mudau, who struck Salah’s left eye.

The Burundian referee pointed the penalty spot on a VAR monitor as the Egyptians protested.

Salah comfortably converted the penalty after Ronwen Williams dived the wrong way despite a lengthy delay before the kick was taken.

When Hany stamped on Mokoena in extra time, adding drama, the defender received a second yellow card.

With a numerical advantage, South Africa attacked more as the second half progressed, but Egypt almost scored after Williams quickly foiling substitute Emam Ashour.

El Shenawy exhibited his agility with 15 minutes left, tipping a low Foster shot safely with his right hand. One of Egypt’s numerous victories kept them ahead.

AFCON hopefuls are kept alive by Angola and Zimbabwe.

Knowledge Musona, a veteran, scored in Marrakech to start the second round of AFCON matches earlier in the day as Zimbabwe rallied from a 1-1 deficit with Angola.

In the second half, Gelson Dala and Musona both put Angola ahead, and Musona was brought up again in the second half.

After one more match, Group B’s draw was unsuitable for either team, leaving both teams two points adrift of joint leaders Egypt and South Africa.

The knockout phase is automatically open to the top two finishers in each group. The top four of the six mini-leagues’ top four teams will also advance.

When Bill Antonio fired wide from close range in front of a small crowd, he missed a good chance to give Zimbabwe an early lead.

After 24 minutes, Qatari striker Dala, who was based in Angola, quickly regained control and took the lead.

To Carneiro’s superb lobbed pass landed in front of Dala inside the box, and he stowed the ball between the near post and goalkeeper Washington Arubi, who is now 40.

After being defeated by Egypt in Agadir by 2-1, Musona, one of the four changes in the Zimbabwe lineup, started getting more involved as the Warriors searched for an equaliser.

Marian Marinica, the coach of Romania, was frustrated when Musona squandered a free kick by smashing the ball into the defensive wall before sending a wide shot.

After colliding with an opponent, the 39-year-old Angola goalkeeper had his head severely bandaged before moving on.

At the end of the opening half, Musona’s perseverance paid off when he equalized six minutes into extra time.

Zimbabwe quickly counterattacked after Angola were taken out of midfield, and Musona was found inside the box by a superb pass.

He slammed the net into the left of Marques’ extended right leg while Carneiro’s legs were sluggish.

Source: Aljazeera