By: Kwame Bediako
The Pharaohs of Egypt have secured their place in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a gritty 1-0 victory over South Africa in their Group B clash on Friday, December 26.
The tense encounter unfolded at Stade Adrar in Agadir, Morocco, where both sides battled fiercely for supremacy in the group standings.
Mohamed Salah’s penalty in the 45th minute proved the decisive blow, silencing the Bafana Bafana’s ambitions and marking Egypt’s first win over South Africa since 2006.
From the opening whistle, the match crackled with intensity as Egypt and South Africa traded blows in a bid to claim the top spot.
The Pharaohs controlled the early tempo, but South Africa’s resilience shone through, especially after Egypt’s Mohamed Hany picked up a straight red card in first-half injury time.
Reduced to 10 men, Egypt dug deep, with Salah stepping up to convert a spot-kick after a foul in the box, sending his side into halftime with a slender lead.
The second half belonged to South Africa, who dominated possession and peppered Egypt’s goal with relentless attacks, capitalizing on their numerical edge.
Bafana Bafana created several clear chances, but Egypt’s goalkeeper and backline stood firm, thwarting every threat.
The Pharaohs’ defensive masterclass frustrated their opponents, turning the game into a war of attrition that highlighted the tournament’s trademark drama.
This hard-fought triumph catapults Egypt to six points atop Group B, making them the first team to book a knockout berth in AFCON 2025.
South Africa, despite the heartbreak, showed glimpses of brilliance that could propel them forward in their final group game.
For the seven-time champions, Salah’s cool finish under pressure reaffirms their pedigree as contenders for a record-extending title.
