Egypt has cemented its status as a tournament heavyweight by becoming the first nation to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The Pharaohs secured their passage with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over South Africa, a result that relied heavily on the individual brilliance of Mohamed Salah and a disciplined defensive rearguard after a first-half red card threatened to derail their campaign.
The game’s decisive moment occurred exactly at the 45-minute mark when the Liverpool forward converted a clinical penalty to give the seven-time champions the lead. However, the atmosphere turned apprehensive just two minutes into first-half stoppage time, when an Egyptian player was dismissed, leaving the side to defend their slender advantage with only ten men for the entirety of the second half.
The latter stages of the match were not without drama. South Africa applied relentless pressure on the Egyptian goal and felt they were denied a clear route back into the game when a penalty appeal was turned down. The ball appeared to make contact with the arm of Egyptian defender Yasser Ibrahim inside the penalty area, but the referee remained unmoved, much to the frustration of the South African bench.
Egypt’s Path to the Round of 16 (Group B)
| Feature | Match 1: Zimbabwe | Match 2: South Africa |
| Final Score | 2–1 (Win) | 1–0 (Win) |
| Salah’s Contribution | Goal in 90+1′ | Goal in 45′ |
| Disciplinary Record | 0 Red Cards | 1 Red Card |
| Total Points | 3 | 6 (Qualified) |
| Tournament Status | Group Leaders | Qualified for Round of 16 |
This victory follows a similarly dramatic opening fixture against Zimbabwe, where Salah once again proved the difference-maker by scoring a winning goal in the first minute of added time. With three goals in two matches, the captain is single-handedly spearheading Egypt’s quest for an eighth continental title—the one major trophy that has remained frustratingly out of reach during his illustrious career.
Despite their historical dominance in African football, the Pharaohs have faced a trophy drought during the Salah era, losing in the finals of both 2017 and 2021. However, the resilience shown in Morocco—winning while numerically disadvantaged—suggests a renewed mental fortitude. As the first team to officially enter the Round of 16, Egypt has sent a clear message to their rivals that they are the team to beat in 2025.