Contentious Penalty Call Costs Bafana Despite Strong Response
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos did not hide his frustration after Bafana Bafana’s narrow 1–0 defeat to Egypt in Agadir, insisting that key refereeing decisions — rather than a gulf in quality — decided the Group B encounter.
The match hinged on a first-half penalty awarded to Egypt following minimal contact between Mohamed Salah and Khuliso Mudau. While Mudau’s hand brushed Salah’s face inside the area, the contact appeared slight, a view Broos said was shared by the scorer himself.
“Even Salah told me after the game that he was surprised it was given,” Broos revealed, describing the decision as harsh and unnecessary in a match that was still finely balanced.
Salah converted the spot-kick with composure, but moments later Egypt were reduced to ten men after Mohamed Hany was sent off just before half-time. That dismissal swung the momentum decisively in South Africa’s favour.
Bafana dominated the second half, enjoying the bulk of possession and pinning Egypt deep for long spells. They forced multiple saves from Mohamed El Shenawy and launched wave after wave of attacks, but the final touch was missing. Despite their control, South Africa struggled to break down a compact and stubborn Egyptian defence.
Broos’ anger deepened late in the game when Bafana were denied a penalty of their own after Yasser Ibrahim blocked a Teboho Mokoena shot with his arm inside the box. VAR ruled the arm was in a “supporting position,” a decision Broos questioned sharply.
“There are too many interpretations now,” he said. “Nobody knows anymore what is a penalty and what is not.”
While the officiating decisions will dominate debate, Broos acknowledged that Bafana must also take responsibility. Against ten men for 45 minutes, South Africa played well — but lacked the ruthless edge needed to turn dominance into goals.
The result leaves Bafana under pressure heading into a decisive final group clash against Zimbabwe.