South Africa knock hosts Egypt out of Afcon

South Africa knocked hosts Egypt out of the Africa Cup of Nations and booked their place in the quarter-finals with a late winner in Cairo.

With Egypt committing players forward in the final stages, South Africa hit on the counter-attack as Thembinkosi Lorch calmly slotted into the corner.

The hosts’ best chance fell to Mahmoud Trezeguet, but he could only fire his shot straight at Ronwen Williams.

Egypt have followed holders Cameroon out of the tournament, while South Africa will return to Cairo to play Nigeria in the last eight on Wednesday.

Before the game, Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter spoke about causing an Egyptian “national disaster”, and his team played with an intensity to match their game plan from the first whistle.

The visitors frustrated Egypt by remaining in their shape while showing attacking intent at the other end as the impressive Percy Lau pulled the strings.

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah – who shook off a cold to make the Egyptian starting XI – had a disappointing evening after firing a half-volley wide in the early stages.

Egypt ran out of ideas in front of an anxious home crowd at the Cairo International Stadium, as Lorch ran onto Lebo Mothiba’s square pass to calmly slot the ball past Mohamed El-Shenawy.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com