Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty was enough for 10-man Egypt to make it two wins from two at the Africa Cup of Nations, as they beat South Africa 1-0.

In a dramatic finish to the first half, Salah netted from 12 yards before Mohamed Hany was sent off for a second yellow, but Egypt held on for all three points.

Egypt had the better of a quiet first 45 minutes, with Omar Marmoush bending a free-kick wide of the left post from just outside the penalty area.

Khuliso Mudau then clumsily hit Salah in the face, trying to shield the ball from him in the penalty area.

And the Egypt captain made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick, which was awarded following a VAR review, as he dinked his shot down the middle, leaving Ronwen Williams helpless in the 45th minute.

Hany then received his marching orders two minutes later, needlessly stepping on Teboho Mokoena’s foot at the touchline, earning his second yellow card, having been booked for a tug on Tshepang Moremi’s shirt earlier on.

Emam Ashour saw an effort smothered as Egypt continued to hold out against South Africa, but with just two minutes remaining, Egypt were given a scare as there was a lengthy VAR check for a handball against Yasser Ibrahim on the line, but nothing was awarded.

And in the closing stages, Lyle Foster did not get enough purchase on his free header, with Mohamed El Shenawy pushing it off the line in stoppage time.

Egypt sit top of Group B, with South Africa behind them on three points. Angola and Zimbabwe sit below them, but are both off the mark at the tournament after a 1-1 draw, with Knowledge Musona’s goal cancelling out Gelson Dala’s opener.

Data Debrief: Salah’s heroics save Egypt

Since making his debut in the 2017 edition, no player has scored more goals at AFCON than Salah (nine), and his improvement proved decisive on Friday.

Only Sadio Mane (15) has more goal involvements in this period than the Egyptian (13 – nine goals, four assists).

Egypt had lost their last six meetings with South Africa (D2 L4) in all competitions, but finally ended that run by getting a first victory in over 19 years.

Hugo Broos will feel his side deserved more, though, considering they had 18 shots to Egypt’s five, though they only got six on target and accumulated just 0.62 expected goals (xG).