Morocco’s progress at the Africa Cup of Nations was briefly checked on Friday as the tournament hosts were held to a 1-1 draw by Mali in Rabat, delaying their qualification for the knockout stages.
While Morocco remain top of Group A, the result served as a reminder of the fine margins at AFCON. Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah struck from the penalty spot to send Egypt into the last 16, becoming the first team to qualify at the tournament.
Morocco had looked set to secure another victory when Brahim Díaz converted a first-half stoppage-time penalty after earning it himself, with Mali defender Nathan Gassama penalised for handball following a VAR review.
However, Mali responded with resilience after the break and drew level in the 64th minute when Lassine Sinayoko dispatched a penalty of his own, again after video assistant referee intervention. The goal ended goalkeeper Yacine Bounou’s long run without conceding for the national side, as Morocco were forced to settle for a point.
In Agadir, Egypt showed their trademark tournament grit as they edged South Africa 1-0 despite being reduced to 10 men. Salah won and converted a first-half penalty after being fouled by Khuliso Mudau, scoring his second goal of the competition. Egypt then defended deep following Mohamed Hany’s dismissal just before the break and survived sustained second-half pressure, including a denied South African penalty appeal after VAR review. The win lifted Egypt to six points from two matches, confirming their place in the knockout stages.
Earlier in Group B, Angola and Zimbabwe played out a 1-1 draw to earn their first points of the tournament, though the result leaves both sides facing must-win final group matches. Angola struck first through Gelson Dala before Knowledge Musona equalised for Zimbabwe in first-half stoppage time.
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