Egypt secured a 1-0 win over South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations at the Stade Adrar on Friday to book their place in the round of 16.
Both teams failed to create a clear-cut chance in the early exchanges until Omar Marmoush smashed a free-kick just wide of the post.
The game took a dramatic turn five minutes before the break.
A fine team move involving Marmoush and Mohamed Salah resulted in Egypt being awarded a penalty, with Khuliso Mudau adjudged to have fouled the latter after a VAR check.
He fired the spot-kick into the middle of the goal, sending goalkeeper Ronwen Williams the wrong way.
Salah has now netted nine goals at AFCON, the most of any player since making his debut in the competition in 2017. Only Sadio Mane has registered more goal involvements within that period.
Egypt’s Mohamed Hany was sent off for a second bookable offence just before the break, much to the frustration of manager Hossam Hassan.
South Africa began the second half on the front foot, forcing Egypt to defend deep.
However, the Pharaohs looked more threatening. Trezeguet was put through inside the area, but he fluffed the chance.
Salah fed the ball through to substitute Emam Ashour from a quick free-kick on the right flank, but Williams saved his shot.
The Bafana Bafana continued applying the pressure and finally tested Mohamed El Shenawy in the Egypt goal with two consecutive chances, but he was equal to the task.
South Africa were nearly awarded a penalty kick on the stroke of full-time, but VAR intervened.
El Shenawy made a good stop to deny Siyabonga Ngezana from scoring a late equaliser, sealing the victory for Egypt.
