Mohamed Salah speaks after Egypt triumph

Salah converted a first-half penalty to secure the win for the Pharaohs at Stade Adrar, handing head coach Hossam Hassan's side maximum points in the Group C clash.

The penalty, however, sparked debate after the referee judged that Khuliso Mudau had fouled Salah by swiping at him in the face—an incident many felt did not warrant a spot-kick.

South Africa, meanwhile, believed they should have been awarded a late penalty when Yasser Ibrahim handled the ball in the box.

Despite appeals and a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the referee dismissed the claims.

Amid the controversy, Salah stressed that the focus for Egypt remained on securing victory.

"We secured the win because we had a good plan and earned the 3 points, which is the most important thing," he told BEIN Sports.

"The stadium was full, and I am proud to play in front of the Moroccan fans. We hope to continue moving forward like this."

The win also marked a milestone for Egypt, making them the first nation to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament with a game to spare in the group phase.

For Salah and the Pharaohs, the result highlights their determination to combine tactical discipline with attacking efficiency, ensuring they remain in strong contention as the tournament progresses.

Egypt now turn their focus to their remaining group fixtures, aiming to maintain momentum and build confidence ahead of the knockout rounds.