BY OUR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT IN AGADIR
MOHAMED SALAH proved he is the King of the Coast as his clinical penalty fired ten-man Egypt into the AFCON knockout stages under the shimmering lights of Agadir’s Stade Adrar.
On a sweltering afternoon in the southern Moroccan port city, the Pharaohs proved they have the stomach for a fight, defending their 1-0 lead for an entire half with a man down. But while Salah provided the spark, it was the stunning backdrop of Agadir that played host to this high-stakes African drama.
Perched between the Atlas Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, the Stade Adrar—affectionately known as the “Mountain Stadium” for its rugged, earth-toned exterior—was transformed into a mini-Cairo.
Over 40,000 fans packed the stands, turning the venue into a wall of red and white, their deafening whistles echoing off the nearby hills every time South Africa touched the ball.
The decisive moment arrived just before the break. Liverpool talisman Salah was caught in the face by Khuliso Mudau’s stray arm, and after a tense VAR review at the pitchside monitor, the referee pointed to the spot.
Salah, cool as the Atlantic breeze, stepped up to smash the ball home, sending the Agadir crowd into a frenzy.
Red Mist in the Heat
However, the jubilant atmosphere nearly turned sour minutes later.
Right-back Mohamed Hany was sent for an early shower after a reckless stamp on Teboho Mokoena, leaving Egypt to face a 45-minute siege in the Moroccan heat.
Bafana Bafana threw everything at the Egyptian wall in the second half.
As the sun set over the stadium, South Africa’s Lyle Foster and Aubrey Modiba forced world-class saves from Mohamed El Shenawy.
There was late drama when South Africa screamed for a handball penalty of their own, but the officials remained unmoved, much to the relief of the partisan crowd.
As the final whistle blew, the “Mountaineers” of Agadir erupted. Egypt become the first team to officially book their place in the Round of 16, and they did it by showing the kind of grit that wins tournaments.
For South Africa, the Agadir air will feel heavy tonight. They now face a “win or go home” derby against Zimbabwe in Marrakech.
But for Salah and his Pharaohs, the journey continues, with the Agadir fortress proving to be a very lucky home away from home.
