Mohamed Salah has scored as 10-man Egypt have overwhelmed South Africa 1-0 in Agadir to turn into the primary qualifiers for the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Liverpool star transformed a penalty on 45 minutes on Friday, and South Africa had been denied a spot kick late within the second half when Yasser Ibrahim appeared to deal with the ball contained in the field.
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Salah got here to Morocco after not beginning in 5 Liverpool matches and his omission resulting in an outburst towards supervisor Arne Slot.
Egypt had been lowered to 10 males in first-half added time when proper again Mohamed Hany was proven a second yellow card for a stamp, adopted by a purple.
After two rounds in Group B, file seven-time champions Egypt have six factors and are assured a top-two end within the group stage and a spot within the spherical of 16.
South Africa have three factors and Angola and Zimbabwe one every after they drew 1-1 in Marrakesh earlier on Friday.
The primary likelihood fell to Salah after 11 minutes, however he couldn’t transfer ahead shortly sufficient to attach with a low cross from Hany.
That almost all of the group had been supporting the Pharaohs turned apparent quickly after when the Burundi referee ignored Zizo’s appeals for a free kick and loud whistling enveloped the stadium.
When Salah delivered a free kick into the center of the South African space, three Egyptians darted ahead, however none may join with the ball.
Halfway by the opening half, a sample had developed. Egypt had been pushing ahead usually whereas South Africa defended with calmness and strong tackling.
When South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena fouled Omar Marmoush simply outdoors the D, he was yellow-carded. Nevertheless, the Manchester Metropolis striker fired the resultant free kick vast.
As the primary half progressed, the solar broke out within the southern coastal metropolis – a welcome sight for gamers and spectators with many earlier group matches staged in torrential rain.
A uncommon South Africa assault ended disappointingly as Lyle Foster struck a weak shot that was comfortably saved by 37-year-old Mohamed El Shenawy.
Awarded a free kick near the touchline, South Africa carried out an intricate, multipass transfer that ended tamely as El Shenawy clutched a cross.
Salah was being intently policed by Aubrey Modiba, and as half-time drew close to, the Liverpool star retreated into the Egyptian half to retain possession.
Then, because the Egypt captain chased a free ball with Khuliso Mudau, the South African proper again raised his left arm, hanging Salah’s left eye.
Amid Egyptian protests, the Burundian referee seen the incident on a VAR monitor and pointed to the penalty spot.
A prolonged delay earlier than the kick was taken couldn’t have eased the nerves of Salah, however he comfortably transformed the penalty as Ronwen Williams dived within the mistaken route.
Extra drama erupted in added time when Hany stamped on Mokoena, resulting in a second yellow card for the defender.
South Africa, with a numerical benefit, attacked extra because the second half progressed, however Egypt got here near a second objective with Williams foiling substitute Emam Ashour after a fast free kick.
El Shenawy displayed his agility with quarter-hour remaining, utilizing his proper hand to tip to security a low shot from Foster. It was one in all a number of saves that stored Egypt forward.
Angola and Zimbabwe preserve alive AFCON hopes
Veteran Data Musona scored as Zimbabwe got here from behind to attract 1-1 with Angola in Marrakesh to kick off the second spherical of AFCON matches earlier within the day.
Gelson Dala put Angola forward halfway by the primary half, and recalled Musona levelled deep in first-half added time.
A attract Group B suited neither staff, leaving each two factors adrift of joint leaders Egypt and South Africa after having performed one match extra.
Solely the highest two finishers in every group mechanically qualify for the knockout section. The perfect 4 third-placed groups from the six mini-leagues additionally will advance.
Invoice Antonio wasted an excellent likelihood to present Zimbabwe an early lead when he blazed vast from shut vary earlier than a small crowd.
Angola recovered shortly to ascertain management and took the lead after 24 minutes by Qatar-based striker Dala.
An outstanding lobbed move from To Carneiro dropped in entrance of Dala contained in the field, and he squeezed the ball between the close to submit and 40-year-old goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Musona, one in all 4 modifications to the Zimbabwe lineup after a 2-1 loss to Egypt in Agadir 4 days earlier, turned more and more concerned because the Warriors sought an equaliser.
Musona wasted a free kick alternative by hitting the ball into the defensive wall, then shot vast, a lot to the frustration of Romanian coach Marian Marinica, who repeatedly shook his head.
Hugo Marques, the 39-year-old Angola goalkeeper, had his head closely bandaged earlier than persevering with after a collision with an opponent.
The perseverance of Musona lastly paid off six minutes into added time on the finish of the opening half when he equalised.
After Angola had been dispossessed in midfield, Zimbabwe counterattacked swiftly, and an outstanding move discovered Musona contained in the field.
He struck a gradual shot between the legs of Carneiro and simply vast of the outstretched proper leg of Marques into the online.
As either side sought a second objective and the lead, Marques rescued Angola 12 minutes from the tip of normal time with an acrobatic one-hand save of an try by substitute Tawanda Chirewa.
