Egypt vs South Africa LIVE
Action from the Africa Cup of Nations continues as Egypt became the first side to qualify for the knockout stages after beating South Africa in a controversial heavyweight Group B showdown. Both sides started their AFCON campaigns with 2-1 victories as but only one 100 percent winning record remains thanks to Mohamed Salah’s penalty.
Despite playing the entire second half with ten men, the Liverpool star’s second goal of the tournament was enough for the seven-time AFCON winners to make it two wins from two in Morocco and progress to the round of 16 with a game to spare. Furthermore, as group winners, the Pharaohs will face one of the best third-placed teams from Group A, C or D.
Bafana Bafana, who were denied what looked to be stonewall penalty in second half stoppage time, can still qualify for the knockout phase when they face Zimbabwe in their final group game next week and now must regroup after seeing their long unbeaten run come to an end. Follow Egypt vs South Africa back below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog!
Egypt vs South Africa latest news
- RED CARD! Hany sent-off
- GOAL! Salah opens scoring with controversial penalty
FULL-TIME!
17:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEgypt 1-0 South Africa
Mohamed Salah’s penalty is the difference in Agadir as ten-man Egypt hold on for all three points and qualify for the knockout phase.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
17:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+11 min: Modiba with an effort that his deflected just wide for a corner. Still time for South Africa. Oh no, a goal kick is awarded instead and you feel that is the end.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
17:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+10 min: Still we play!
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+8 min: El Shenawy has been superb for Egypt, especially in the second half. Some really good goalkeeping when called upon.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+7 min: CHANCE!
How has that stayed out??? Foster with a free header which is weak and El Shenawy gets to the loose ball before Mudau.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+4 min: Ibrahim is overjoyed with that decision and South Africa don’t even get a free-kick.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+3 min: NO PENALTY!
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+2 min: Over to the screen the referee goes. Not sure why he needs the screen as a handball decision can be made by wherever the VAR team are based.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: VAR still checking as seven minutes of added time is signalled.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne89 min: While VAR are looking at a potential South Africa penalty, Egypt replace Salah with Faisal.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne87 min: South Africa have a free-kick right on the edge of the box. It looked like he had pointed to the spot, this will get reviewed and Bafana Bafana may have a penalty.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne86 min: Into the closing stages here in Agadir, can South Africa find a equaliser?
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne84 min: Teasing cross is too high for Makgopa before Foster has a shot blocked.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne80 min: Double Egypt change.
ON: Shehata and Lasheen
OFF: Trezeguet ans Zizo
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne78 min: CHANCE!
A wonderful move from South Africa as Foster brings Modiba into play with a superb touch but the defender is denied by a good save from El Shenawy.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne76 min: Egypt are playing for the counter-attack and nearly make one count as Attia’s effort just clears the crossbar. Would imagine Williams had that covered if it was a couple of inches lower.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne75 min: SAVE! El Shenawy gets down sharply to push Mudau’s effort away. Good stop that to keep Egypt ahead. South Africa applying pressure as Hugo Broos sends on Makgopa for some additional height.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne73 min: Impressive control on the chest by Moremi but his shot doesn’t match and his team-mates will feel a little aggreived by the decision to try the spectacular.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: Ouch! El Shenawy smashed his wrist on the crossbar when jumping for Mokoena’s shot. Egypt keeper is back on his feet and fine to continue.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: Another change for South Africa and Mofokeng replaces Appollis. Mokoena then takes aim from range but doesn’t keep his effort down and El Shenawy watches the ball sail over the bar before requiring some attention from the Egypt medical staff.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne66 min: Appollis makes room for a shot but his effort is charged down.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne65 min: Egypt seem to have weathered the early storm and now have a foothold in the game. They’ve looked the more likely to get the next goal.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne63 min: No penalty for South Africa as Mudau was in an offside position when the ball was struck. Had he stayed onside, there would have been another big decision for the referee to make.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne62 min: Mudau, who conceded the first half penalty, takes a tumble under contact El Shenawy but the offside flag is raised. Of course, this will be checked by VAR, it looked very close.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne60 min: Big save from Williams as Ashour latched on to Salah’s pass and hit a driven effort at goal but was denied by the South Africa goalkeeper’s leg.
A warning for Bafana Bafana.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: Modiba with a speculative effort from distance which curls away from goal. At the other end, Trezeguet cuts inside before seeing an effort deflected.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne57 min: Nice run from Moremi to create an opening for himself but his effort is weak and doesn’t require El Shenawy to be at full stretch to make a save.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne55 min: More good goalkeeping from El Shenawy as he claims a cross intended for Foster in the midfielder. Seen more of the Egypt stopper in the first ten minutes of this half then the entire opening period.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne53 min: South Africa are racking up the corner count, but this one does not cause any problems as El Shenawy comes to collect under pressure from Mbule.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne51 min: Egypt struggling to get out of their own half as South Africa are winning the second balls and keeping the pressure on. Awkward cross from the left sees El Shenawy punch clear but unconvicingly.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne49 min: South Africa have set their stall out early in this second half. Playing at a much higher tempo as they bid to make the man advantage count.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne47 min: Details of the aforementioned changes. Ashour is on for ten-man Egypt, replacing Marmoush.
As for South Africa, Mbule has taken the place of Mbatha.
KICK-OFF!
16:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway in Agadir.
Egypt and South Africa have made changes.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
16:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMohamed Hany, on the other hand, can have no complaints about the sending off. Already on a yellow card and makes a needless tackle on Teboho Mokoena right near the touchline.
Momentum should be with South Africa now.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
15:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis was the incident that lead to Mohamed Salah breaking the deadlock from the penalty spot.
Yes, Mudau strikes the Egypt captain in the face but it looked accidental.
Salah didn’t even appeal for a penalty!
HALF-TIME
15:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEgypt 1-0 South Africa
A crazy five minute spell at the end of the half. Mohamed Salah tucks away a penalty before Mohamed Hany is sent-off for Egypt.
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
15:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+2 min: RED CARD!
It’s all going off at the end of the first-half as Egypt are reduced to ten men with Mohamed Hany sent-off for his second bookable offence.
GOAL! Egypt 1-0 South Africa | Mohamed Salah ‘45
15:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: EGYPT LEAD!
Mohamed Salah makes no mistake from the spot and Egypt are ahead.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne42 min: PENALTY!
Would you believe it, Egypt have a penalty! Lyle Foster booked for his protests and Mudau booked for the challenge.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne41 min: The referee has been urged to go across to the screen, you know what that usually means...
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne41 min: Wait a minute, VAR are checking for a potential penalty for that challenge on Salah. Surely not!
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne40 min: Glimmer of an opening for Salah but the ball just won’t sit perfectly for him. The Egypt captain is then struck in the face, accidentally, but Mudau and stays down momentarily.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne35 min: Another corner for Egypt as Hamdy’s cross is deflected behind by Mudau. Zizo’s delivery is dealt with Foster at the front post and South Africa are able to push up the pitch.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: El Shenawy claims a high ball after South Africa tried to catch Egypt out with a well-worked short free-kick routine.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne30 min: Just like that, Foster springs to life with some really good centre-forward play to create himself an opening but he snatches at the chance and El Shenawy makes a comfortable save.
Hany booked for Egypt.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne27 min: South Africa haven’t offered a great deal going forward since that early flurry. Foster being kept quiet thus far and the full-backs have not been as advanced as they were against Angola.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne25 min: Mbokazi slides in an makes an inch-perfect tackle on Marmoush to concede a corner. Zizo’s delivery is helped on at the front post before Hamdy glances a header wide.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne22 min: This free-kick is in a very good position. Marmoush and Salah standing over it, surely it suits the former with his excellent ball striking ability.
Marmoush does take and curls an effort just wide. For a moment, it looked like the ball was in the back of the net as Williams was rooted to the spot.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: The card is out this time as Mokoena cynically takes out Marmoush from behind and is booked. It’s a poor tackle in all honesty, no wonder the Egypt players were demanding a more severe punishment.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne18 min: It is Zizo who swings the ball in, the delivery is decent but not a single one of his Egyptian team-mates crammed inside the box can make a connection.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: Ngezana with a strong tackle on Marmoush, leaving the Egypt forward on the floor and needing to be helped to his feet. No yellow card for the South Africa defender.
Egypt do have a free-kick in a position of promise, Salah to take.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne16 min: Zizo complains that he was nudged over by Sithole but he doesn’t get the free-kick he wanted. Looked liked the midfielder was simply outmuscled by the South Africa ace.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne11 min: Egypt threaten, Salah has options to his left but plays a poor pass which allows South Africa to clear. Moments later the Liverpool star is inches away from getting a toe on Hany’s cross.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: Marmoush is down the middle for Egypt with Salah and Trezeguet either side of the Manchester City forward.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne6 min: First sight of Marmoush this afternoon as he tries to wriggle his way pasted a number of South Africa defenders but is ultimately crowded out with no support from his team-mates.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne4 min: Bafana Bafana threaten down the right-hand side but Mbatha’s cross is too close to El Shenawy who gathers the ball in and looks to spring a counter-attack but is thwarted.
Egypt 0-0 South Africa
15:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 min: South Africa dominanting possession in the early exchanges, yet to ask any serious questions of the Egypt defence though but an encouraging start.
KICK-OFF!
15:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in Agadir.
Who will take control of Group B and become the first team to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations knockout phase?
Egypt vs South Africa
14:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFirst, the national team anthems.
HERE WE GO!
14:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams are out at the Stade Adrar.
This afternoon's Group B showdown will be underway shortly!
South Africa dressing room
14:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBehind the scenes at the Adrar Stadium as the South Africa dressing room is prepared ahead of kick-off.
The Bafana Bafana changeroom ahead of our clash against Egypt.#BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/pwUkpnJT6L
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) December 26, 2025
Kick-off approaching in Agadir
14:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 minutes to go until kick-off at the Stade Adrar.
As it stands
14:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe winners of this showdown, should there be one, will be assured of a place in the knockout phase. Top spot would also be effectively guaranteed.
AFCON result
14:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt is full-time in the other Group B clash this afternoon and the points are shared between Angola and Zimbabwe.
That result suits both Egypt and South Africa.
Team news reminder
14:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how both teams will line-up today.
Egypt XI: El Shenawy; Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Hamdy; Attia, Fathy; Zizo, Marmoush, Trezeguet; Salah.
Substitutes: El Shenawy, Shobeir, Eid, Abdelmaguid, Sobhi, El Fotouh, Ashour, Lasheen, Saber, Shehata, Adel, Fathy, Faisal, Mohsen, Mohamed.
South Africa XI: Williams; Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole; Moremi, Mbatha, Appollis; Foster.
Substitutes: Ndamane, Mofokeng, Nkota, Mokwana, Aubaas, Chaine, Mbule, Kabini, Sibisi, Goss, Makgopa, Matuludi.
South Africa changes
14:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHugo Broos has resisted the temptation to name an unchanged South Africa side, opting to freshen up his options in attack as Mohau Nkota and Sipho Mbule make way for Tshepang Moremi and Thalente Mbatha.
Egypt changes
14:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMohamed Hamdi is fit enough to start this afternoon despite being forced off through injury against Zimbabwe last time out.
Hossam Hassan does make a couple of changes as Rami Rabia and Zizo replace Hossam Abdelmaguid and Emam Ashour.
South Africa team in full
14:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSouth Africa XI: Williams; Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole; Moremi, Mbatha, Appollis; Foster.
Substitutes: Ndamane, Mofokeng, Nkota, Mokwana, Aubaas, Chaine, Mbule, Kabini, Sibisi, Goss, Makgopa, Matuludi.
Egypt team in full
14:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEgypt XI: El Shenawy; Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Hamdy; Attia, Fathy; Zizo, Marmoush, Trezeguet; Salah.
Substitutes: El Shenawy, Shobeir, Eid, Abdelmaguid, Sobhi, El Fotouh, Ashour, Lasheen, Saber, Shehata, Adel, Fathy, Faisal, Mohsen, Mohamed.
CONFIRMED SOUTH AFRICA TEAM NEWS
14:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnd lining up for Bafana Bafana...
Bafana Bafana starting 11 vs Egypt #BafanaPride @10bet_ZA @CastleLagerSA @SABC_Sport @HonorAfrica @Shield_ZA pic.twitter.com/lMryLhy320
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) December 26, 2025
CONFIRMED EGYPT TEAM NEWS
14:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Egypt team Hossam Hassan has selected for this afternoon's AFCON clash...
#ThePharaohs’ 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐗𝐈 🆚 South Africa #egyptnt pic.twitter.com/6O6P3wv00a
— Egypt National Team (@EgyptNT_EN) December 26, 2025
Egypt vs South Africa live - team news imminent
13:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams will be announced shortly
Stay tuned...
Broos plots Egypt downfall...again
13:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHugo Broos has come up trumps against Egypt in the past.
Back in 2017 he led Cameroon to victory over Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations final and is targeting another big win this afternoon.
"We have to put Egypt in difficult (situations) and you can only do that when you use your quality and the players you normally use," Broos added.
South Africa fearless
13:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSouth Africa head coach Hugo Broos insists his side do not fear Egypt stars such as Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, stating there are no plans to single out one player in particular.
"We are focused on no one," Broos said at the pre-match press conference. "The most important thing is the team.
"We all know how good Salah is, we all know how good Marmoush is and we all know how good Trezeguet is and other players. "They are such a good team. Why should we focus on one player? We have to be prepared to beat the team."
Egypt confident
13:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEgypt head coach Hossam Hassan has praised his side's performance against Zimbabwe and believes South Africa will represent a difficult test.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, he said: “We respect all teams, and South Africa are among the strong sides, but we play to achieve positive results and collect the three points.
"Every match is important."
AFCON LATEST
13:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe have seen every nation play at least once at the Africa Cup of Nations so far.
There have been wins for host nation Morocco, holders Ivory Coast as well as pre-tournament favourites such as Senegal, Algeria, Nigeria and Cameroon.
Click here to keep up to date with the AFCON 2025 results and fixtures.
Latest score
13:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt is half-time in the other Group B game between Angola and Zimbabwe.
Knowledge Musona's equalised for Zimbabwe with the last kick of the half to make it 1-1 in Marrakech, Morocco.
Foster hands South Africa perfect start
13:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLyle Foster hit a stunning late winner as South Africa beat Angola in the opening match of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
It was an entertaining affair in Marrakesh. The match was wide open from the off and promptly produced goals. Oswin Appollis’ opener was promptly cancelled out by Manuel Luis Show before the break.
But a tightly-contested second period was settled as Foster picked out the top-right corner with the clock winding down.
Egypt leave it late
13:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMohamed Salah struck at the death to hand Egypt the perfect start to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign as they came from behind to defeat Zimbabwe 2-1 in Agadir.
The Pharaohs went behind to Prince Dube’s 20th-minute strike at the Stade Agadir, having dominated the early exchanges.
The Warriors midfielder took the ball down beautifully in the Egyptian box before pirouetting and slotting beyond Mohamed El Shenawy.
Predicted South Africa XI
13:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHugo Broos can name an unchanged team for this afternoon clash against Egypt.
Predicted South Africa XI: Williams; Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole; Nkota, Mbule, Appollis; Foster.
Predicted Egypt XI
13:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEgypt boss Hossam Hassan is likely to stick with Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush in attack after the pair scored in the win over Zimbabwe.
Mostafa Mohamed is also pushing to start ahead of Emam Ashour.
Predicted Egypt XI: El Shenawy; Hany, Ibrahim, Abdelmaguid, Fatouh; Attia, Fathy; Salah, Marmoush, Trezeguet; Mohamed.
Today's settings
13:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAFCON action on Boxing Day at the Stade Adrar in Agadir, Morocco.
Egypt vs South Africa latest match odds
13:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEgypt to win: 10/11
South Africa to win: 13/5
Draw: 7/4
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
12:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThese two nations last met at AFCON in 2019 with South Africa emerging victorious at a stunned Cairo International Stadium in a smash-and-grab round of 16 showdown.
Egypt wins: 4
South Africa wins: 8
Draws: 2
Score prediction
12:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSouth Africa are in good form, and for that reason, this fixture is not a forgone conclusion despite Egypt boasting some star names.
The Pharaohs were far from their best against Zimbabwe and they could face more frustration against a Bafana Bafana side riding a wave of momentum after qualifying for next summer's World Cup.
Meetings between these two sides are often low scoring affairs and we expect this to follow suit.
Draw, 1-1.
South Africa team news
12:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSouth Africa be unchanged against Egypt after coming through the game against Angola unscathed in terms of personnel.
This means Lyle Foster should lead the line once again as he seeks to help Bafana Bafana reach the knockout stages.
Egypt team news
12:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMohamed Hamdi is a doubt after picking up an injury against Zimbabwe last time out. Ahmed Fatouh is the obvious option at left-back if the Pyramids FC defender fails a fitness test.
Mostafa Mohamed is also struggling with an ankle issue so it remains to be seen if he will be involved.
How to watch
12:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on the Channel 4’s network. Coverage begins at 2.30pm GMT on Channel 4 ahead of kick-off at 3pm.
Live stream: Subscribers can also catch the contest live online for FREE, via the Channel 4 website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action right here via Standard Sport’s live blog!
Egypt vs South Africa live
12:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Egypt vs South Africa!
It's the second round of fixtures at the Africa Cup of Nations for both teams as they seek to follow up wins over Zimbabwe and Angola respectively.
The winners will not only qualify for the knockout stage with a game to spare, but boost hopes of topping Group B in the process.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 3pm GMT from the Stade Adrar. Stick with us!
