A controversial Mohamed Salah penalty sent Egypt through to the last-16 of the Africa Cup of Nations despite being down to 10 men for the whole of the second half against South Africa, who were denied a penalty of their own right at the death.
After a cagey start, the game exploded into life towards the end of the first half as Salah was caught by a stray arm from South Africa defender Khuliso Mudau in the box.
The VAR recommended an on-field review and a penalty was awarded, with Salah keeping cool to chip it down the middle.
South Africa were handed a lifeline on the brink of half-time when Egypt were reduced to 10 after Mohamed Hany picked up his second yellow card for mistiming a needless challenge on the touchline.
Despite the numerical advantage, South Africa struggled to break Egypt down and Egypt were barely threatened.
But, deep in stoppage time, Egypt survived another VAR review after a shot from South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena struck a diving Yasser Ibrahim right on the edge of the box. Referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana, who initially gave a free-kick to South Africa, was sent to the pitch-side monitor, but reversed his decision and no penalty was awarded,
Egypt are now through to the last-16 with two wins from their first two games. South Africa will need a result against Zimbabwe to progress and set up a likely last-16 clash with Ivory Coast or Cameroon.
THE INDEPENDENT/UK