Match report

Egypt Secures Narrow Victory Over South Africa in Africa Cup of Nations

Egypt
Egypt
1–0
FT
South Africa
South Africa
Dec 26, 2025

Egypt narrowly edged out South Africa with a 1-0 win in their Africa Cup of Nations match, thanks to a solitary penalty scored by Mohamed Salah. Despite trailing a man from the 45th minute, Egypt's defense held strong to secure the victory.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Egypt 1-0 South Africa
  • • Mohamed Salah scored the winning penalty in the 45th minute
  • • Mohamed Hany was sent off for Egypt in the 45th minute
  • • Teboho Mokoena received a yellow card for South Africa in the 20th minute
  • • L. Foster of South Africa was also shown a yellow card for argument in the 43rd minute
  • • South Africa had a penalty call overturned in the 90th minute via VAR

Lineups

Egypt

Starting XI

  • 23 M. El Shenawy (G)
  • 3 M. Hany (D)
  • 6 Y. Ibrahim (D)
  • 14 H. Fathy (D)
  • 5 R. Rabia (D)
  • 12 M. Hamdi (D)
  • 25 Zizo (M)
  • 19 M. Attia (M)
  • 7 Trezeguet (M)
  • 10 M. Salah (F)
  • 22 O. Marmoush (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 A. El Shenawy
  • 26 O. Shobeir
  • 4 H. Abdelmaguid
  • 24 A. Eid
  • 13 A. Fatouh
  • 2 K. Sobhi
  • 8 E. Ashour
  • 17 M. Lasheen
  • 20 I. Adel
  • 27 M. Saber
  • 15 M. Shehata
  • 11 Mostafa Mohamed
  • 18 M. Fathi
  • 21 O. Faisal
  • 9 S. Mohsen

South Africa

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 R. Williams (G)
  • 20 K. Mudau (D)
  • 21 S. Ngezana (D)
  • 14 M. Mbokazi (D)
  • 6 A. Modiba (D)
  • 13 S. Sithole (M)
  • 4 T. Mokoena (M)
  • 7 O. Appollis (M)
  • 5 T. Mbatha (M)
  • 8 T. Moremi (M)
  • 9 L. Foster (F)

Substitutes

  • 16 S. Chaine
  • 22 R. Goss
  • 18 S. Kabini
  • 25 T. Matuludi
  • 3 K. Ndamane
  • 19 N. Sibisi
  • 2 T. Smith
  • 15 B. J. Aubaas
  • 17 S. Mbule
  • 24 S. Campbell
  • 23 E. Makgopa
  • 10 R. Mofokeng
  • 12 E. Mokwana
  • 11 M. Nkota

Timeline

  1. South Africa
    20' South Africa Card · Yellow Card
    Teboho Mokoena

    Foul

  2. Egypt
    30' Egypt Card · Yellow Card
    Mohamed Hany

    Foul

  3. Egypt
    42' Egypt Var · Penalty confirmed
    Mohamed Salah
  4. South Africa
    43' South Africa Card · Yellow Card
    L. Foster

    Argument

  5. Egypt
    45'+2 Egypt Card · Yellow Card
    Mohamed Hany

    Foul

  6. Egypt
    45'+2 Egypt Card · Red Card
    Mohamed Hany

    Foul

  7. Egypt
    45' Egypt Goal · Penalty
    Mohamed Salah
  8. South Africa
    46' South Africa subst · Substitution 1
    Off: T. Mbatha · On: S. Mbule
  9. South Africa
    69' South Africa subst · Substitution 2
    Off: O. Appollis · On: R. Mofokeng
  10. South Africa
    75' South Africa subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. Sithole · On: E. Makgopa
  11. Egypt
    80' Egypt subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Zizo · On: M. Lasheen
  12. Egypt
    80' Egypt subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Trézéguet · On: M. Shehata
  13. South Africa
    80' South Africa subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Moremi · On: E. Mokwana
  14. South Africa
    90'+2 South Africa Var · Penalty cancelled
    Teboho Mokoena
  15. Egypt
    90' Egypt subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Mohamed Salah · On: O. Faisal

Match Stats

Stat Egypt South Africa
Fouls 10 9
Pass Accuracy 79% 88%
Offsides 0 4
Red Cards 1 0
Total Shots 6 18
Corners 4 7
Total Passes 309 537
Yellow Cards 2 3
Blocked Shots 1 3
Shots on Target 3 6
xG — —
Shots off Target 2 9
Possession 36% 64%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 245 475
Shots Inside Box 4 7
Saves 6 2
Shots Outside Box 2 11

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Mohamed Salah's penalty in the 45th minute gave Egypt a crucial lead
  • ▸ Mohamed Hany's red card for Egypt in the 45th minute shifted momentum towards South Africa, but they failed to capitalize
  • ▸ VAR overturned a penalty call for South Africa in the 90th minute, maintaining Egypt's lead