Hosts Egypt knocked out of Africa Cup of Nations
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BMyQ8DRqfaTuFcbJZ3mVd3.jpg)
South Africa stunned hosts Egypt 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Seven-time winners Egypt produced a lacklustre display and were punished by Thembinkosi Lorch’s 85th-minute strike.
South Africa, the 1996 winners, are through to just their second quarter-final since 2002 and will face Nigeria on Wednesday.
Egypt struggled to create chances, with their best two openings of the game both being squandered by Trezeguet, while Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was largely kept quiet.
South Africa were the more dangerous team in the first half and Percy Tau was denied a 22nd-minute opener when his free-kick was tipped over the crossbar by Mohamed El-Shenawy.
The Bafana Bafana also went close with 20 minutes to go when centre-back Thulani Hlatshwayo headed wide but they were not to be denied.
South Africa broke quickly and Lebo Mothiba drew the last defender before squaring for Lorch to confidently sweep beyond El-Shenawy.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Egypt could not muster a response as they failed to reach at least the semi-finals at a home tournament for the first time.
FourFourTwo was launched in 1994 on the back of a World Cup that England hadn’t even qualified for. It was an act of madness… but it somehow worked out. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the game’s biggest names, insightful analysis... and a bit of a giggle. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack