Morocco delayed in securing Cup of Nations knockout spot as Egypt progresses

Hosts Morocco failed to clinch a place in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-1 draw against Mali on Friday, while Mohamed Salah's penalty secured a 1-0 victory for Egypt over South Africa, advancing them to the last 16.

The Group A encounter between Morocco and Mali at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat revolved around two penalties, with Brahim Diaz putting the hosts ahead from the spot in added time of the first half, and Lassine Sinayoko levelling the score in the 64th minute.

The draw, attended by nearly 64,000 spectators including France skipper Kylian Mbappe, snapped Morocco's impressive streak of 19 consecutive victories.

As a result, Morocco have yet to lock in their last-16 berth, though they lead the group with four points from two matches.

Mali sit second with two points, level with Zambia, who played out a goalless stalemate against Comoros earlier in Casablanca.

Morocco will take on Zambia on Monday, and a win there will confirm their progression as group toppers.

"We dominated the first half and created scoring opportunities. In the second, we struggled to maintain control, stopped playing freely, and endured some pressure. This match will benefit us moving ahead," Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi shared with beIN Sports.

"We need to grab the three points in our final group game and top the section."

Captain Achraf Hakimi, the African footballer of the year, remained on the bench once more as he recovers from an ankle issue.

Morocco earned their penalty when Mali's Nathan Gassama handled the ball while attempting to block Diaz's run in the penalty area, with the referee granting it after consulting the VAR screen at length.

Diaz deceived the keeper to net his second tournament goal, but Morocco couldn't extend the lead, and Mali gained their own penalty shortly after the hour.

Sinayoko was fouled by Jawad El Yamiq, prompting another VAR review that awarded the kick.

The Auxerre forward calmly slotted it home, and Mali defended stoutly through 10 minutes of added time, with boos ringing out from the local supporters at the end.

Salah seals win for Egypt

In Agadir, Liverpool ace Salah slotted a penalty right before the break, making Egypt the initial qualifiers for the knockouts.

However, South Africa felt hard done by when they were denied a late penalty after Yasser Ibrahim seemed to handle inside the area.

Egypt's spot-kick followed a VAR review of South Africa's Khuliso Mudau raising his arm and hitting Salah in the face.

The Pharaohs leader dispatched it past Ronwen Williams, who went the wrong direction.

Tension boiled over in stoppage time as Mohamed Hany trod on Teboho Mokoena, earning a second yellow and dismissal for the full-back.

Despite the numerical edge, South Africa couldn't equalise, and the controversial non-call on their penalty claim allowed Egypt to prevail.

After two Group B fixtures, seven-time winners Egypt sit on six points, assured of a top-two spot.

South Africa hold three points, with Angola and Zimbabwe on one apiece following their 1-1 draw in Marrakesh, where Knowledge Musona's goal for the Warriors negated Gelson Dala's early strike.

"I'm delighted with the outcome, absolutely. It was challenging, as they controlled much of the possession. They are good at keeping the ball, so our strategy paid off," Salah commented.

"Securing the three points is key. The crowd energy is amazing. We hope to keep the momentum."

South Africa manager Hugo Broos remarked: "The penalty given to Egypt was absurd, truly absurd.

"As for our denied late penalty, the Egyptian's arm was outstretched, and the ball hit it. That was clearly a penalty."