Overview
- Egypt beat South Africa 1-0 in Agadir thanks to a Mohamed Salah penalty awarded after video review, becoming the first team to reach the round of 16 and securing top spot in Group B.
- The match featured lengthy VAR interventions, including a late handball check ultimately not penalized, and Egypt finished with ten men after Mohamed Hany’s second yellow card.
- AFP reported that stadium gates in Agadir were opened to additional spectators shortly after kickoff, while CAF separately denied having any policy to distribute free tickets before matches.
- Hosts Morocco face Mali with Achraf Hakimi again starting on the bench as his return is managed, and Ayoub El Kaabi named to start, with qualification possible for Morocco with a win.
- Group results tightened the picture as Angola drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe and Zambia and the Comoros played to the tournament’s first 0-0 after a VAR annulment, while an earlier VAR outage in DR Congo–Benin has added to officiating concerns.