By RismadarVoice Media
December 26, 2025
Egypt held a 1–0 lead over South Africa at halftime of their Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash in Agadir on Friday, thanks to a first-half penalty converted by captain, Mohamed Salah.
The decisive moment came in the 45th minute when South Africa defender Khuliso Mudau committed a foul inside the penalty area.
Salah stepped up, calmly dispatched a left-footed effort straight down the middle to give the Pharaohs the advantage.
Moments later, Egypt were dealt a setback as Mohamed Hany was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, reducing the seven-time African champions to 10 men before the interval.
Despite the dismissal, Egypt went into the break ahead, with the first half marked by disciplined defending, tactical organization, controlled possession.
In the second half, South Africa raised the tempo, committing more players forward in search of an equalizer, while Egypt dropped deeper, looked to exploit spaces on the counter-attack.
Bafana Bafana continued to apply pressure with direct balls, late runs into the penalty area, testing Egypt’s resilience.
A late VAR review for a possible South African penalty was eventually overturned, with no spot-kick awarded.
As the match stands, Egypt are on course to move to six points in Group B, strengthening their push for qualification to the knockout stage of the tournament.
