With nerves of steel, Mohamed Salah calmly converted a first-half penalty, propelling a determined 10-man Egypt to a gritty 1-0 victory over South Africa in Agadir and making them the first team to punch their ticket to the knockout stages.

After two games, Egypt has six points and won the group with a game to spare. South Africa has three points from two games, while Zimbabwe and Angola took one after drawing 1-1 earlier in the day.

Salah found the net once more, helping a resilient 10-man Egypt clinch the top spot in Group B with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over South Africa.

Just three days after his dramatic injury-time winner against Zimbabwe, Salah rose to the occasion once again, coolly dispatching his penalty after being fouled by Khuliso Mudau’s stray arm just before halftime.

Moments later, Mohamed Hany received his marching orders with a second booking, but Egypt, undeterred by their numerical disadvantage, dug deep to hold their lead and pull three points ahead at the summit of Group B.

The Pharaohs will meet Angola, who have managed only a single point so far, in their final group match on December 29. Thanks to their commanding start, Egypt’s place atop Group B is already secured by AFCON’s tiebreaker rules.

If Egypt loses to Angola and South Africa beats Zimbabwe, Bafana Bafana closes the gap to three points. Instead of goal difference, AFCON rules consider head-to-head results; hence, Salah’s team’s 1-0 win over South Africa earns them first spot.