RABAT, Morocco (AP) – Mohamed Salah scored again on Friday as Egypt’s 10-man squad beat South Africa 1-0, leaving only a place in the African Cup of Nations knockout stages.
Salah scored the Pharaohs’ opening win. Stoppage time strike against Zimbabwe They did it again on Monday in Agadir, where promotion from Group B was all but guaranteed after they were awarded a penalty before the break.
But South Africa probably should have been awarded a penalty when Yasser Ibrahim blocked a shot with his arm in stoppage time. After a long delay, the referee decided not to award the spot kick after considering the video replay, and Ibrahim collapsed to the ground in relief.
Salah converted the penalty after being punched in the face by the retreating South African forward Lyle Foster. Salah showed no ill effects from the blow, sending his shot straight into the middle while goalkeeper Ronwen Williams dived to his right.
There was still time before half-time before Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany was 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 stage game, a negative result for both sides after suffering a defeat in the opening game.
Egypt leads with six points after two games, followed by South Africa with three. Angola and Zimbabwe each have one point. The top two from each group and the best third place finisher will advance.
Hosts Morocco will aim for a win against Mali in Rabat, after Zambia face Comoros in Group A.
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Associated Press at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
