Egypt winger Mohamed Abdalla celebrates after scoring a goal against South Africa during the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: EFA
Mohamed Abdalla came off the bench to the score the winner in the 62nd minute, firing a powerful left-footed strike from the left side of the box into the bottom right corner after a quick break led by Mohamed Raafat.
South Africa started brightly and applied early pressure, but failed to create any clear scoring chances.
Egypt coach Osama Nabih was forced into two first-half substitutions due to injury. Abdalla replaced Omar Hassan in the 36th minute, while Seif Eldin Essam came on for Moemen Sherif shortly after.
Following the break, the Young Pharaohs settled into their rhythm, and Abdalla’s goal proved decisive in a tightly contested match.
Egypt will face Sierra Leone in their next group fixture on Wednesday, while South Africa meet Tanzania.
Earlier on Sunday, Zambia were held to a goalless draw by Sierra Leone in the group’s opening match.
The top two teams in each group, along with the two best third-placed sides, will progress to the quarter-finals.
The four semi-finalists will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile in September.
The tournament was originally set to take place in Côte d’Ivoire but was relocated to Egypt last March after the original hosts withdrew, citing unforeseen circumstances.
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