FOOTBALL – MOHAMED Salah scored a first-half penalty as 10-man Egypt defeated South Africa 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash in Agadir yesterday to become the first team into the knockout stages of the competition.
Later, hosts Morocco were held to a 1-1 draw by Mali, ending their world record run of wins and leaving them still to make sure of progress to the next stage.
Egypt have six points from their opening two games and have won the group with a game to spare. South Africa have three points from their two games, while Zimbabwe and Angola have one each after they drew 1-1 earlier in the day.
Salah won the penalty when he was clipped in the face by South Africa defender Khuliso Mudau as they tussled for the ball in the box, and stepped up to easily convert for his second goal of the tournament.
Egypt lost right-back Mohamed Hany to a red card for an ugly stamp at the end of the first half and faced wave after wave of South African attacks in the second period, as the latter were denied a penalty of their own for handball following a lengthy VAR check.
South Africa will feel aggrieved with the spot-kick decision, especially after Pacifique Ndabihawenimana was called over to the screen on the sideline.
But they also did not have enough quality in the final third to punish Egypt and drive home their dominance in the second half.
South Africa had 17 shots in the second half alone, but many of them were wayward in what will be a frustrating performance for coach Hugo Broos.
Salah converted the spot-kick, his 65th goal in international football and his second of the tournament in Morocco.
But they were reduced to 10 men in added time at the end of the first half when Hany stamped on the foot of Teboho Mokoena and received a second yellow card, leaving his side to play the entire second half with a numerical disadvantage.
Mudau’s shot forced a good save from El Shenawy as South Africa camped in their opponents’ half to try to force an equaliser.
Lyle Foster’s flick into the path of Aubrey Modiba created another opportunity from eight yards, but El Shenawy saved again and South Africa were left to ponder a frustrating defeat and their first competitive loss under coach Hugo Broos in almost two years.
In another Group B match, Angola and Zimbabwe each earned their first point following a 1-1 draw but the result leaves both facing early elimination.
They both lost their opening Group B clashes and are now left with difficult assignments in their last matches next week which they will effectively need to win if they are to progress.
Angola went ahead in the 24th minute when To Carneiro’s chipped pass fell perfectly for striker Gelson Dala, who ran onto it and squeezed the ball in at the near post as Zimbabwe’s defence proved too slow in closing down.
Zimbabwe’s veteran striker Knowledge Musona equalised with the last kick of the first half.
Moroccan midfielder Brahim Diaz tucked away a penalty in stoppage time at the end of the first half but Mali equalised from the spot midway through the second half through Lassine Sinayoko.
Both penalties were awarded after VAR reviews in a tempestuous clash at the end of a busy day of action at the tournament.
Morocco top the Group A standings with four points while Zambia, who they meet next on Monday, have two points along with Mali while the Comoros are bottom of the group on a single point.
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