Salah and Foster Guide Egypt and South Africa to Lead in AFCON Group B

Players from the Premier League, Mohamed Salah and Lyle Foster, proved decisive as Egypt and South Africa kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations Group B fixtures with wins in Morocco on Monday.

The Liverpool forward Salah, facing some uncertainty at his club, scored in the first minute of stoppage time to secure a 2-1 triumph for the seven-time champions Egypt against a resilient Zimbabwe side in Agadir.

Before that, South Africa, former winners once, controlled the second half and reaped rewards when the Burnley forward Foster found the net in the 79th minute for a 2-1 success over Angola in Marrakesh.

This sets up an exciting clash at the top of the group between the Pharaohs and Bafana Bafana in Agadir on Friday. The teams have faced each other three times in previous AFCON events, with Egypt coming out on top in two.

Salah, who recently voiced frustration over bench roles at Liverpool against his manager Arne Slot, put in a tireless shift for Egypt after they went behind and appeared shaken.

Zimbabwe took the lead through Prince Dube in the 20th minute, forcing the favourites to hold on until Omar Marmoush of Eintracht Frankfurt levelled matters in the 63rd minute.

Constant attacks from Egypt bore fruit during the first of five extra minutes, with Salah's determination earning the full points.

In the earlier game, South Africa held sway after the break against Angola in Marrakesh, and Foster's goal in the 79th minute clinched the 2-1 win in their section.

The decisive strike followed a disallowed goal for offside by Tshepang Moremi and a fierce shot from Mbekezeli Mbokazi that hit the bar before bouncing back into action.

Oswin Appollis had given the 2024 AFCON third-place finishers South Africa the edge in the 21st minute, but Angola responded to tie it up via Show just after 35 minutes.

The result snapped a winless streak of six opening AFCON games for South Africa since 2006. It also reinforced their strong record against Angola, with three wins and two draws from five encounters.

Hugo Broos, the Belgian coach who steered Cameroon to the 2017 AFCON crown, expressed dissatisfaction with his team's first-half showing.

"We needed to prevent a loss this evening with Egypt awaiting us next. We went into the break ahead but then lost focus," Broos explained.

"Angola regained ground, so we adjusted at the interval. The second period brought greater intensity, better movement, and opportunities.

Deeply Hurting

"Tshepang Moremi shone after entering the fray, injecting pace and making us a real danger. He excelled in the latter half."

Mali's coach Tom Saintfiet described the late levelling goal in their 1-1 Group A stalemate with Zambia in Casablanca as "deeply hurting".

Following a first-half spot-kick miss by El Bilal Toure against Willard Mwanza, Mali went in front via Lassina Sinayoko in the 61st minute.

However, with two Mali defenders static as a ball came in two minutes into added time, Patson Daka surged to nod home the equaliser.

"Our plan was to net three times tonight. Things got tough post-penalty miss when emotions got the better of us," noted the Belgian Saintfiet.

"I would rather have claimed all three points versus Zambia, particularly since we bossed the play.

"That goal seemed like a triumph for them and a loss for us. We must gear up thoroughly for upcoming games, beginning with Morocco on Friday.

"Zambia possess solid midfielders who blocked our aims. Against the hosts, a draw would suit us at minimum."

"Finishing no lower than second is essential. We aim for the final, and it remains within reach," the coach added, recalling his guidance of newcomers Gambia to the 2022 quarter-finals.

The hosts Morocco, who started the competition on Sunday beating Comoros 2-0, lead with three points, while Mali and Zambia sit on one apiece.

Four fixtures await on Tuesday, featuring 2024 finalists Nigeria versus Tanzania in Fes and 2022 title holders Senegal facing Botswana in Tangier.