Soccer
Bafana fume as VAR controversy hands Egypt narrow AFCON win─── MORGAN PIEK 08:15 Sat, 27 Dec 2025
Bafana Bafana and head coach Hugo Broos were left seething after a controversial 1–0 defeat to Egypt in their crucial Group B Africa Cup of Nations clash in Morocco.
The 10-man Pharaohs booked their place in the AFCON knockout stages on Friday night thanks to a contentious first-half penalty, converted by Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah, in a match that ended in frustration and disbelief for South African supporters.
Egypt struck on the stroke of half-time when referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana pointed to the spot after Khuliso Mudau’s hand made contact with Salah’s face inside the penalty area. The Egyptian captain kept his nerve, calmly slotting home to give the seven-time champions the lead.
It was a decision that sparked debate, but the drama was far from over.
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— ?e k ?? (@XekiHlongwane) December 26, 2025
There seemed to be only two people watching who thought South Africa’s Khuliso Mudau had actually committed an offence worthy of being penalised when his flailing hand touched Mohamed Salah’s forehead. pic.twitter.com/2ObCRMFZxB
Moments later, chaos erupted when Egyptian right-back Mohamed Hany was shown a second yellow card for a reckless stamp on Tebogo Mokoena. Having already been booked in the second minute, Hany’s dismissal reduced Egypt to 10 men just before the break, with tempers flaring on both sides as players headed to the changerooms.
While Egypt had shaded the opening exchanges, Bafana refused to be overawed by the African giants and emerged from the interval with renewed purpose.
The second half belonged almost entirely to South Africa.
Broos’ men poured forward from the first whistle, launching wave after wave of attack against a stubborn Egyptian defence that defended deep and in numbers. Despite their dominance, Bafana simply could not find the decisive touch in the final third.
The moment that will haunt South Africa arrived deep into stoppage time.
In the 92nd minute, Mokoena burst into the box and his effort was blocked by the outstretched arm of Yasser Ibrahim Ahmed El Hanafi, who slid in desperately to make the challenge. After a lengthy delay and a lightning-quick VAR check, Ndabihawenimana waved play on, ruling the action legal and denying Bafana what appeared to be a clear chance to level the scores.
Horrible decision by the referee to deny @BafanaBafana a clear penalty against Egypt. Handball was in the box. Referee initially awarded a free kick outside of the box. Goes to VAR to decide whether in box or not and comes up with a drop ball verdict pic.twitter.com/s4YU7KOiKJ
— Solomon Kpodo (@solomonkpodo) December 26, 2025
The decision left a bitter taste for players, coaching staff and fans alike as Egypt held on for a hard-fought 1–0 victory.
After the final whistle, an incensed Broos did not hold back, though he was quick to acknowledge Egypt’s first-half performance.
“First of all, I want to talk about the meeting we had before the tournament. It lasted about 45 minutes and they explained all the rules - 25 rules, 50 rules, I don’t know anymore. Then it’s a penalty, then it’s not a penalty. Then it’s a red card because you hit a player, then it’s not a red card. In the end, there are so many rules that nobody knows anymore what to do.”
Broos revealed that even Salah was surprised by the penalty decision.
Mohamed Salah mini-panenka to give Egypt the lead against South Africa. #AFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/4ji8Cv9NnV
— AFCON 2025 (@DiskiAfrika) December 26, 2025
“Take the first penalty incident - even Mo Salah said to me after the game that he was surprised it was given as a penalty. It was ridiculous, really ridiculous. In the meeting they said when the arm is extended away from the body, it’s a handball. The arm was extended and the ball hit his arm, so it was a clear penalty. Then the same officials say it was a ‘supporting arm’ - but who invents a supporting arm? The arm was extended. It’s a real penalty.”
The Belgian coach also questioned other decisions during the match, while lamenting his side’s lack of fortune in front of goal.
“For me, the first yellow card for Egypt also raised questions. Yes, there were some chances in the second half and some simulation, that’s true. But we dominated them for 45 minutes, and in moments like that you need a bit of luck - that the ball falls kindly or that the shot goes in. We didn’t have that luck today.”
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— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) December 26, 2025
?? ?????? ???? ??????????????: No penalty awarded for Bafana Bafana.
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Despite the setback, Broos remains defiant ahead of Bafana’s final group encounter.
“We lost the game, but there is still another match to play. What happened here on the pitch, those small decisions, will motivate us 200 percent to win the game on Monday against Zimbabwe.”
Bafana’s final Group B fixture takes place on Monday at the Stade de Marrakech, with kick-off at 17:00. Victory will be enough to secure progression to the knockout stages, regardless of the outcome between Angola and Egypt.
