AFCON 2025: Mali hold Morocco as Egypt advance to last 16

Hosts Morocco missed the chance to secure qualification for the knockout phase of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a 1-1 draw with Mali on Friday.

However, Mohamed Salah’s penalty gave Egypt a 1-0 win over South Africa which took the Pharaohs through to the last 16.

The Group A clash between Morocco and Mali at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat was a tale of two spot-kicks, with Brahim Diaz giving the tournament hosts the lead from a penalty deep in first-half injury time and Lassine Sinayoko equalising on 64 minutes.

The stalemate, watched by a crowd of almost 64,000 which included France captain Kylian Mbappe, ended Morocco’s world record winning run after 19 matches.

It also means Morocco have not yet confirmed their last-16 place, although they are first in their section with four points from two games.

Mali come next on two points alongside Zambia, who drew 0-0 with Comoros earlier in Casablanca.

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Morocco face Zambia on Monday and a victory in that match will ensure that the hosts go through as group winners.

In Agadir, Liverpool superstar Salah converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time as Egypt became the first team through to the knockout rounds.

But South Africa were aggrieved not to be awarded a spot-kick near the end when Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball inside the box.

Egypt’s penalty was given after a VAR check when South African right-back Khuliso Mudau raised his left arm and struck Salah in the eye.

The Pharaohs skipper converted the penalty as goalkeeper Ronwen Williams dived the wrong way.

After two rounds in Group B, record seven-time champions Egypt have six points and are guaranteed a top-two finish.

South Africa have three points, and Angola and Zimbabwe one each after they drew 1-1 in Marrakesh earlier with veteran Knowledge Musona scoring for the Warriors to cancel out Gelson Dala’s opener.

The Star