With the undisputed leadership of Mohamed Salah, Egypt This Friday he passed a complex test South Africa And made it to the round of 16 des African Cup of Nationswhich is controversial in Morocco. The Nile team won 1 to 0 thanks to a penalty he converted captain on the verge of half-time, although he had to make do with one less player after a break in the second half Expulsion of Mohamed Hany. In the final minutes, a controversial VAR decision prevented the South Africans from having the chance to equalize with another penalty.
The game was tough and had a huge emotional toll. Egypt had just celebrated its debut with a narrow win against Zimbabwe, with Salah scoring a goal at the end of the game. Now he needed another win to secure top spot in Group B. This time the Liverpool striker once again appeared in a crucial moment when he received a slap in the face in the 45th minute Lyle Foster on the face in the South Africa area. After looking at the pictures, the referee decided on a penalty and the number 10 himself converted it into a goal with a shot into the middle while the goalkeeper Ronwen Williams He threw himself to the right.
But just two minutes after the goal, already in extra time of the first half, Egypt was left with ten players: Hany, who was reprimanded, committed a serious foul Teboho Mokoena and saw the second yellow card. The decision led to this Pushing and verbal arguments between the banks. From then on, the pharaohs decided to retreat to preserve their advantage.
“It was a difficult game, they dominated most of the time. We knew South Africa could handle the ball well, so we had a strategy designed to resist. We got the three points, which is the most important thing,” Salah said after the game. “The atmosphere in Morocco is incredible. I hope we continue on this path,” he added.
In the second period the figure was the Egyptian archer, Mohamed El Shenawyfrom 37 yearswho blocked challenging shots and supported his team in the crucial moments. The most exciting moment came in stoppage time when a shot from Mokoena was deflected Yasser Ibrahim and the ball hit his arm. After a lengthy VAR review, the referee concluded that there was no intention to increase the defender’s body volume and ordered a “drop ball”, causing outrage on the South African bench.
“We were unlucky. There were several decisions against us,” protested South Africa coach Hugo Broos. The action revealed the different interpretations about the use of video referees, particularly in a continental tournament.
The Egyptian hand was not considered a penalty by VAR
With this win, Egypt has 6 points and sits comfortably in Zone B, having already secured a place in the round of 16. South Africa still has a good chance of qualifying with 3 points. Further behind are Zimbabwe and Angola with 1 point after their 1-1 draw in the other game of the day.
This tournament seems to have special value for Salah. His participation comes amid an unstable period on his part LiverpoolClub in the last few weeks He lost control and had a short circuit with trainer Arne Slot. After missing the Champions League game against Internazionale, the Egyptian striker came on as a substitute against Brighton (2-0) and set up Hugo Ekitike’s second goal.
“I said it last week: actions speak louder than words,” Slot commented after that meeting. The English club is also going through one Dilemma regarding Salah’s future: His agent is in Morocco and a meeting with the Reds’ leadership is expected to determine the steps to be followed in the meantime Rumors about a possible departure to Saudi Arabia. For now, the striker is concentrating on his team and his own sporting aspirations. With two goals in two games, he is one of the Africa Cup of Nations top scorers and a serious candidate for the competition’s best player award.
The last time Egypt won the trophy was in 2010. With the Pharaoh at this level, North Africans’ enthusiasm is growing again.
AFP and AP
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