Salah Penalty Sinks Bafana As Egypt In Controversial AFCON Match

Mohamed Salah converted a first-half penalty as Egypt withstood sustained pressure to defeat Bafana Bafana 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash at Stade Adrar on Friday.

Salah calmly slotted home from the spot after Khuliso Mudau was penalised for raising his hands into the Egyptian captain’s face during a tussle in the penalty area.

There was late controversy when Teboho Mokoena’s strike appeared to strike the arm of Yasser Ibrahim inside the box, but referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana ruled that no penalty had been committed.

The victory sees Egypt move to the top of Group B with six points from two matches, securing their place in the knockout stages.

Bafana Bafana will now conclude their group campaign against Zimbabwe on 29 December, while Egypt face Angola in the other Group B fixture at the same time.

This encounter marked the fourth meeting between the two sides at AFCON finals, with Egypt having previously beaten South Africa in 1996 and 1998. The latter was the final in Burkina Faso, two years after Bafana Bafana lifted the trophy on home soil in 1996.

South Africa’s most famous victory over Egypt at AFCON came in 2019, when Thembinkosi Lorch’s late strike stunned the hosts at Cairo International Stadium, eliminating the Pharaohs in the Round of 16 in front of more than 60,000 supporters. Friday’s match was the first meeting between the sides since then.

The contest in Morocco began cautiously. Mohamed Hany attempted to release Salah in the 11th minute, but his pass was overhit. Teboho Mokoena soon picked up a yellow card after tripping Omar Marmoush, with the resulting free kick narrowly clearing the wall and leaving goalkeeper Ronwen Williams rooted.

Egypt gradually asserted control, pinning Bafana Bafana deep in their own half and creating an atmosphere of tension for the South Africans — reminiscent of the 2019 encounter, where Egypt dominated possession but ultimately lost.

Just before halftime, Mudau was adjudged to have struck Salah in the face during a challenge inside the area. After a VAR review, Ndabihawenimana pointed to the spot, citing violent conduct under Law 12.

Salah made no mistake, sending Williams the wrong way with a composed finish down the middle to give Egypt the lead.

Egypt were reduced to 10 men moments later when Mohamed Hany, already on a yellow card, was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Mokoena in first-half stoppage time.

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos responded by making a change before the second half, withdrawing Thalente Mbatha and introducing Sipho Mbule to add creativity in the number 10 role.

South Africa emerged with renewed intensity, applying sustained pressure against an Egyptian side content to defend deep despite being a man down.

Egypt threatened on the counter through Salah, who set up Emam Ashour, but Williams produced a fine save to keep Bafana in the contest.

Bafana Bafana continued to push forward. Mudau fired a powerful shot that was well saved by goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, while Evidence Makgopa was introduced alongside Lyle Foster as South Africa shifted to a two-striker system.

Aubrey Modiba forced another save from El Shenawy with a toe-poked effort, while Siyabonga Ngezana’s header was also kept out as chances continued to fall Bafana’s way.

Modiba later unleashed a fierce strike that flashed wide, before another moment of controversy late on when Mokoena’s shot appeared to strike Yasser Ibrahim’s arm in the box. Following a VAR review, the referee waved away South Africa’s appeals.

Despite dominating the second half, Bafana Bafana were unable to find an equaliser.

While the defeat was a setback, qualification remains firmly in South Africa’s hands — provided they secure a victory over Zimbabwe in their final Group B match on Monday.