South Africa slipped to a 1-0 defeat by 10-man Egypt in their Group B clash at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, a result that handed Egypt top spot in the pool and left Bafana Bafana needing at least a point against Zimbabwe on Monday to guarantee progress to the last 16.
The match was decided by a first-half penalty awarded to Egypt after Khuliso Mudau’s arm struck Mohamed Salah in the box. Controversy followed late when South Africa were denied what looked like a clear penalty of their own, and an inability to convert several good openings ultimately cost Hugo Broos’s side.
South Africa arrive at the final group game under pressure despite their bronze-medal finish two years ago. A draw against Zimbabwe will secure qualification; anything less could force a tougher route through the knockout rounds and complicate their bid to improve on that previous tournament placing.
The atmosphere at the stadium was tense from the first whistle, with both sets of supporters vocal and the pitch playing true. Egypt, reduced to ten men at some point, set up to defend deep and invited South Africa to probe. Bafana dominated possession in spells, with midfield runners and full-backs trying to create overloads on the flanks.
The defining moment came in the first half when the referee pointed to the spot after a scramble in the area. Replays showed contact between Mudau and Salah, with the decision to award a penalty sparking immediate debate. Late in the game, South Africa appealed for a penalty following an apparent handball in the Egyptian box, but the referee waved play on.
Egypt’s goal arrived from the penalty, converted with composure and clinical finishing under pressure. The spot-kick followed a congested sequence in the box where Salah and Mudau tussled for position; the official judged the contact sufficient to merit a penalty and Egypt took the lead.
Bafana pressed after the break, shifting personnel and increasing the tempo in search of an equaliser. They fashioned a number of half-chances and forced a couple of smart saves, but lacked the final touch in the penalty area. Egypt defended in numbers, absorbing pressure and looking to hit on the counter when space opened.
The closing stages were frantic. South Africa piled forward and created a late scramble in the Egyptian box that had the home crowd on edge, but the referee’s decision not to award a penalty ended the most dangerous sequence. Egypt held on despite being a man down, and the final whistle confirmed a narrow but decisive victory.
The result leaves South Africa with a straightforward but unforgiving task: secure a point against Zimbabwe on Monday to advance. Broos will demand greater cutting edge in the final third and clearer decision-making from his players if Bafana are to navigate a potentially tougher knockout path and aim to better their last tournament finish.