Hosts Egypt beat South Africa 3-0 in the second at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on Tuesday to progress to the final of the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
After a goalless first half, Egypt was awarded a controversial penalty in the 57th minute after Thendo Mukumela was judged to have handled the ball inside the box.
Ramadan Sobhi stepped up and scored the resulting spot-kick sparking wild celebrations from the home crowd and the rest of the team.
South Africa almost levelled the match in the 81st minute but a free-kick from the left wing crashed against the crossbar.
Abdel Magdi scored twice in the 84th and 89th minutes to put the game beyond South Africa’s reach.
“I’m happy for my country, all we did with the players, it’s for the country and the thousands of fans who have moved. I am going to thank South Africa who was a big opponent and who contributed to this qualification at the Olympics by agreeing to play two warm-up games against us,” Egypt coach Shawky Gharib said after the match.
Egypt will now face Côte d’Ivoire in the final at the Cairo International on Friday. Côte d’Ivoire beat Ghana on penalties earlier on Tuesday to book its ticket in the final.
Both sides will be aiming to claim a maiden AFCONU23 title.
Egypt’s win also guaranteed qualification for the football tournament at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 alongside the Ivoirians.
They will be joined by the winner of the 3rd/4th place playoff between Ghana and South Africa at the same venue on the same day.
