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AFCON Report – 10-man Egypt edge SA, secure progression – 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

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Mohamed Salah of Egypt celebrates goal with teammates during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Egypt and South Africa at the Adrar Stadium, Agadir on the 26 December 2025 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by
Graeme Jackson

Friday Dec 26, 2025. 18:37

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Egypt claimed a hard-earned 1-0 win over South Africa in a Group B match at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir on Friday to become the first team to progress into the knockout rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Mohamed Salah’s penalty late in the first half decided the game in favour of the Pharaohs – who have become the first team to guarantee a spot in the knockout rounds – but Bafana Bafana will be frustrated at their inability to capitalise on a numerical advantage in the second stanza after Mohamed Hany saw red just before the interval.

Egypt settled the quicker of the two teams and began to create dangerous attacking opportunities, including a Mohamed Hany cross which was just beyond an unmarked Mohamed Salah in the danger area, as well as an Omar Marmoush shot direct from a free kick which flashed just wide of the target midway through the first half.

South Africa gradually gained a foothold in the game but had only one effort on goal, a tame shot from Lyle Foster which was easily saved by Mohamed El Shenawy just before the half-hour mark.

A dramatic end to the first half followed, with Egypt claiming the lead, before almost immediately being reduced to 10 men.

First, the Pharaohs were awarded a penalty – via VAR review – after Khuliso Mudau needlessly caught Mohamed Salah in the face in a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge in the 18-yard area. Salah himself coolly converted from the spot, fooling Ronwen Williams with a ‘Panenka’ finish, for 1-0 in the 45th minute.

Yet just a couple of minutes later, Hany – already on a yellow card – stomped on Teboho Mokoena’s foot in a challenge on the sideline and was deservedly cautioned for a second time, thereby earning an early shower and leaving Egypt with just 10 men heading into the interval.

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South Africa bossed possession from the start of the second half, but Egypt had the first clear chance after the restart, with a quickly-taken free kick putting substitute Emam Ashour free down the right of the penalty area, but his deflected shot was saved by the legs of Williams in the 60th minute.

Bafana Bafana were close to an equaliser in the 74th minute when Mudau drove a low shot on target from the edge of the penalty area, but El Shenawy made an excellent save low to his right.

Further chances followed, which were all turned away by El Shenawy, but drama arrived in the dying minutes when an appeal for a penalty went to a VAR review – this time in favour of South Africa for a hand-ball by Yasser Ibrahim just inside the 18-yard area.

However, after viewing replays, the referee decided against awarding a spot kick to the team in yellow and green.

The teams will conclude their Group B campaigns on Monday 29 December: Egypt face Angola in Agadir, and South Africa will battle regional rivals Zimbabwe in Marrakesh.

Egypt (1) 1 (Salah 45’ pen)

South Africa 0

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Egypt: M. El Shenawy, M. Hany, Y. Ibrahim, R. Rabia, M. Hamdi, M. Attia, Zizo (M. Lasheen 80’), H. Fathy, M. Salah (O. Faisal 89’), O. Marmoush (E. Ashour 46’), Trezeguet (M. Shehata 80’)

South Africa: R. Williams, K. Mudau, S. Ngezana, M. Mbokazi, A. Modiba, T. Mbatha (S. Mbule 46’), T. Mokoena, S. Sithole (E. Makgopa 75’), A. Appollis (R. Mofokeng 69’), T. Moremi (E. Mokwana 80’), L. Foster

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US Open 2026 results: Alfie Hewett wins fifth men’s wheelchair singles title in New York

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Alfie Hewett kisses the US Open trophy

Britain’s Alfie Hewett beat Tokito Oda to clinch a fifth US Open men’s wheelchair singles title and prevent the Japanese top seed from completing a clean sweep at the Grand Slams in 2026.

A 6-0 7-6 (7-5) victory meant Hewett added to the doubles title he won alongside fellow Briton Gordon Reid on Friday.

Hewett, 28, lost to Oda in the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year, winning only two games in a 6-1 6-1 defeat at SW19, while the Japanese also triumphed at January’s Australian Open.

Hewett told BBC Sport that his loss to Oda at Wimbledon made him “look in the mirror” and a period of reflection led to him wanting to “be a little bit more like me” as he pursued an 11th Grand Slam singles title.

“I’m known for being just as fearless, brave and courageous in big moments and I felt I was everything but that in Wimbledon,” Hewett said.

“I was quiet, I was timid, I was a shell of myself.

“I think I have had six weeks of champing at the bit to come out and prove to myself that I can be more like that person.”

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Hewett described his first-set performance as “possessed” as, after saving a break point in the opening game, he produced a dominant display, clinching the opener with a superb backhand return winner.

The Briton secured victory in a second-set tie-break, having fought back from a double break down and saved three set points for Oda to level the match.

Oda, who had won the past six Grand Slam singles titles, said on court: “Definitely I was trying to get the calendar year [Grand Slam] this year.

“This was the last part of it so it’s really tough for me, but I think Alfie deserved it today.”

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England vs Pakistan player ratings: Has Jordan Cox given selectors food for thought?

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Joe Root makes a half-century for England at Edgbaston

Emilio Gay – 6 – A gritty Test-best of 60 in tricky batting conditions in the first innings looked to have gone some way towards securing his place on the plane for a winter tour of South Africa, only for a duck next time round to bring back some uncertainty. (Series – 6)

Ben Duckett – 2 – A miserable end to the summer for the opener who will now come under some scrutiny. Made 11 and zero in this match and finishes this three-Test series well down the averages with a disappointing 44 runs at 8.8. (Series – 2)

Jordan Cox – 7 – A cheap dismissal in the first innings but made a nerveless unbeaten 59 to take the sting out of Pakistan after a wobble in the chase. A particularly impressive effort with the gloves – taking five dismissals – after being called upon to keep following Jamie Smith’s injury may have given the selectors food for thought in the role. (Series – 7)

Joe Root – 7 – Question marks over his captaincy during Pakistan’s second innings, but got England over the line with 62 not out. A 10th lbw in 14 innings suggests a technical tweak which still needs to be ironed out by England’s all-time leading run-scorer. (Series – 7)

Harry Brook – 7 – Batted with real discipline and focus at a time when Pakistan had a foothold in the game on day one. His most mature Test knock this year. Ran himself out on 75 when a century beckoned but forgivable given the application he showed earlier. Finishes as leading run-scorer in the series with 215 runs at 53.75. (Series – 8)

Dan Lawrence – 7 – Having been shunted around the order the Surrey all-rounder batted with the kind of confidence to suggest he might deserve a sustained run in the middle during a measured 65. Bowling underused but a not-too-shabby batting average of 46.75 will help his winter touring prospects. (Series – 7)

Jamie Smith – 6 – Not quite back to his fluent best but will be satisfied to notch up useful half-centuries in consecutive Tests. Kept reasonably well in Pakistan’s first innings before a finger injury kept him off the field in the second. (Series – 6)

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Gus Atkinson – 6 – Wicketless in the first innings and it initially looked like it was going to be another hard-luck tale. However, he shook off the weariness and a change to the City End allowed him to pocket three wickets to lighten his mood. (Series – 5)

Jofra Archer – 7 – Took a bit of tap in the second innings but bowled with plenty of zip and aggression throughout. A brutal ball to dismiss Saud Shakeel was a reminder of his menace. England will be desperate to keep him fit and firing during a pivotal 12 months. (Series – 8)

Ollie Robinson – 8 – Is their anyone better with a Dukes ball in English conditions? Another masterclass in control. England’s tone-setter finishes the series with 21 wickets at a miserly 8.76. A breezy half-century on day two also entertained the crowd. (Series – 9)

Josh Tongue – 7 – Mopped up the tourists’ lower order in the first innings with 4-42. Healthy returns in all three Tests – 19 wickets in all – and continues to look a vital cog in the machine. (Series – 8)

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Garcia vs Benn: WBC welterweight title fight predictions from fighters and pundits

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Daniel Dubois faces off with Fabio Wardley

Conor Benn returns to welterweight for the first time since April 2022 to challenge WBC champion Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas.

The 29-year-old Briton is bidding for the crowning moment of his 10-year professional career at T-Mobile Arena.

Benn has won 25 of his 26 fights as a professional and would emulate his father, Nigel, by claiming a WBC title with another victory.

Garcia, 28, is making the first defence of his belt after beating Mario Barrios by decision in February.

The American has picked up 25 victories in his 28-fight career, earning 20 of those wins by knockout, while losing two, with one no-contest.

Live text commentary will begin on Sunday, 13 September at 03:00 BST on the BBC Sport website and app.

BBC Sport spoke to figures from the boxing world to get their predictions for the bout.

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