Superstar Mohamed Salah shot his Egyptians to their second win in their second game on Friday evening in Agadir (Morocco). Against South Africa, his penalty goal shortly before the half-time whistle was enough to make it 1-0 (1-0). The VAR was used several times and heated up tempers.
In an initially even game, first the penalty whistle caused excitement, then a yellow-red card against an Egyptian. South Africa played with the majority for more than half, but “Bafana Bafana” were unable to score an equalizer despite their increasing superiority. Things got wild again in stoppage time when the Egyptians demanded a hand penalty. After several minutes of VAR checks, the referee team decided against another penalty.
With six points, Egypt is already in the round of 16. South Africa are second in the group after their opening win against Angola and can advance with a win against Zimbabwe in the last group game.
Spectacle only at the end of the first round
It took some time for the game to get going. After their opening victories, both teams looked as if they didn’t want to fall behind against their supposedly strongest opponents. The Egyptians were able to gain a slight advantage in the field, but they didn’t have any clear chances for a long time.
Salah also initially had little success – and yet the Liverpool FC star ultimately took responsibility for the lead. In the opponent’s penalty area, he pursued the ball-carrying defender Khuliso Mudau, who, in distress, swung his arm back and hit Salah in the face. According to the video images, the Burundian referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana awarded a penalty, a justifiable decision. Salah took care of the matter himself and chipped into the middle to take the lead.
Opening goal from the point: Mo Salah (33 years old) celebrates
Excitement about the Burundian referee
The South Africans were anything but happy with the decision; top striker Lyle Foster from Burnley FC complained vehemently and was promptly shown the yellow card. The atmosphere was now heated and referee Ndabihawenimana had to intervene again before the half-time whistle.
Mohamed Hany, already booked, stepped on his opponent’s foot in a duel. The logical consequence was the traffic light card, which in turn annoyed the Egyptians immensely, even if the referee was right here too. Nevertheless, a pack formed in which the referee team first had to calm everyone involved before going into the dressing rooms.
Expulsion: Mohamed Hany has to go down with yellow-red (45th + 2)
South Africa runs against decimated Egyptians
As expected, South Africa became more active in the second half. However, Foster and Co. were unable to demonstrate any effectiveness. The concentrated Egyptians had little problem keeping South Africa out of their own penalty area.
Rather, it was the “Pharaohs” who became dangerous again after a long time: Hossam Ashour was able to finish from a tight angle following work from Salah, but South Africa’s goalkeeper was able to parry (60′). The Egyptians around former Frankfurt player Omar Marmoush increasingly relied on counterattacks, but they were unable to create too many dangerous situations.
El-Shenawy records Egypt’s victory
Only in the final phase did it become more compelling again – especially because South Africa stepped on the gas. Teboho Mokoena (70th) and Mudau (74th) tried unsuccessfully from distance. After a remarkable backheel placement by Foster, Aubrey Modiba had the best chance to equalize. The full-back was denied from close range by the well-reacting Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy (79′).
When Yasser Ibrahim received the ball on his outstretched “support arm” during a South African finish, things got heated again. Ndabihawenimana gave a free kick from the edge of the box, but in the replays it was clear that Ibrahim had stopped the ball in the sixteen-yard box. The VAR still took a surprisingly long time to kick in – and it took another few minutes before the referee looked at the images.
The decision ultimately went in favor of the Egyptians, there wasn’t even a free kick. Ibrahim kissed the ground in relief – and a little later his team was able to celebrate their victory and progression.
Emotions after the final whistle: Relieved Egyptians sink to the ground