12/26/25 11:30:00
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12/26 11:28 CST Salah steers Egypt toward Africa Cup knockout stages after VAR
denies South Africa late penalty
Salah steers Egypt toward Africa Cup knockout stages after VAR denies South
Africa late penalty
By CIARAN FAHEY
AP Sports Writer
RABAT, Morocco (AP) --- Mohamed Salah scored again on Friday as Egypt's 10 men
held on to beat South Africa 1-0 to all but reach the knockout stages of the
Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah, who secured the Pharaohs' opening win with a stoppage-time strike
against Zimbabwe on Monday, did it again in Agadir and his penalty before the
break is almost certain to secure progression from Group B.
But South Africa should arguably have been given a penalty in stoppage time
when Yasser Ibrahim blocked a shot with his arm. After a long delay, the
referee decided against awarding the spot kick after consulting video replays
and Ibrahim sank to the ground in relief.
Salah converted his penalty after he was struck in the face by the hand of the
retreating South Africa forward Lyle Foster. Salah showed no ill effects from
the blow and sent his shot straight down the middle while goalkeeper Ronwen
Williams dived to his right.
There was still time before the break for Egypt defender Mohamed Hany to get
sent off, after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Teboho Mokoena.
Goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy was Egypt's key player in the second half.
Earlier, Angola and Zimbabwe drew 1-1 in the other group game, a result that
suited neither side after opening losses.
Egypt leads with 6 points from two games followed by South Africa on 3. Angola
and Zimbabwe have a point each. The top two progress from each group, along
with the best third-place finishers.
Host nation Morocco will look for a win over Mali in Rabat later, after Zambia
plays Comoros in Group A.
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AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
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