Egypt secured their place in the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations with a contentious 1-0 victory over South Africa in Group B on Friday. Mohamed Salah's first-half penalty proved decisive, moving the seven-time champions to six points from two matches with a game to spare.
The match at the Adrar Stadium was largely uneventful until five minutes before the interval, when Egypt were awarded a spot-kick following a VAR review. Salah appeared to be accidentally caught in the face by Khuliso Mudau, and the Egyptian forward did not appeal, making the decision a surprise. Referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana consulted the pitchside monitor and pointed to the penalty spot.
Salah, who had scored a stoppage-time winner against Zimbabwe in Egypt's opening match, calmly converted with a panenka to give his side the lead. However, their advantage was short-lived as Mohamed Hany was sent off for two bookable offences just before half-time, reducing Egypt to ten men.
South Africa pushed for an equaliser in the second half but found goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy in inspired form. The 38-year-old made fine saves to deny Mudau and Aubrey Modiba, and bravely claimed the ball under pressure after a knockdown by Lyle Foster. The visitors thought they had earned a penalty late on when Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball on the edge of the box, but after a VAR review, the referee ruled it was not a spot-kick.
The result guarantees Egypt top spot in Group B, meaning they will face one of the best third-placed teams from Groups A, C or D. South Africa, meanwhile, will advance as runners-up if they beat Zimbabwe in their final group match next week.
