Egypt suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to South Africa on Saturday at the Cairo International Stadium in the Round of 16 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations as the hosts tumbled out of the tournament.
Thembinkosi Lorch scored the only goal of the game in the 84th minute as the South Africans, who had just managed to qualify for the knockout phase after finishing fourth out of the six best third-placed teams, grabbed one of the tournament’s most stunning results.
Egypt dominated possession (63%-37%) but clinical finishing from South Africa, who had more shots on target, proved the difference.
Liverpool forward and Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah started the match despite speculation he was a doubt for it because of illness.
The first real threat came in the 20th minute when Egyptian keeper Mohamed El Shenawy produced a one-handed save to tip over a free-kick by Percy Tau.
Egypt could have taken the lead three minutes later when Salah charged forward during a counterattack and fed Mahmoud ‘Trézéguet’ Hassan only to have his tame effort gathered by Ronwen Williams.
In the 56th minute, Salah threaded a through ball to Trézéguet into South Africa’s penalty box but Williams, again, easily managed to save his first-time shot.
El Shenawy then saved a shot from Lorch in the 71st minute as anxiety began to mount on both sides in the stadium.
However, in the 84th minute, with Egypt pressing high up the pitch, South Africa launched a swift counterattack and Lebo Mothiba fed Lorch who calmly slotted the ball into the net to silence the home fans in the stadium.
Bafana Bafana then held on for victory as the Egyptians were left to rue their missed chances.
South Africa, the 1996 AFCON champions, will now play three-time winners Nigeria in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
