‘Even Salah was surprised’ — South Africa coach Broos slams controversial penalty calls in Egypt loss

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has strongly criticised the officiating decisions that went against his side following their narrow 1–0 defeat to Egypt at AFCON 2025.

The Belgian tactician claimed the match in Agadir was decided by refereeing calls rather than football, insisting even Mohamed Salah was shocked by the penalty that settled the contest.

The decisive moment came in the first half when Salah won a penalty after minimal contact from Bafana Bafana right-back Khuliso Mudau.

The Liverpool forward converted with a panenka to give Egypt the lead, but Broos was left furious by the decision.

“First half, Egypt was the better team. Second half, we were the better team. The game was decided by two decisions — two decisions that were not right,” Broos told reporters after the match.

He revealed a post-match exchange with the Egyptian captain that only deepened his frustration. “The first one was ridiculous. Even Mo Salah said to me after the game that he was surprised that that was a penalty,” Broos said.

Broos also pointed to a second key incident late in the game when South Africa appealed for a penalty after Yasser Ibrahim blocked a Teboho Mokoena shot with his arm inside the box.

Despite a VAR review, referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana and his team waved away the appeals, ruling the arm was in a natural supporting position.

“The second was a real penalty, because the arm was extended from the body and the ball hit his arm,” Broos argued. “But then suddenly, there is a rule of the supporting arm. What is the supporting arm?”

South Africa dominated the second half, enjoying 62% possession and registering 16 shots compared to Egypt’s seven, while also playing against 10 men after Mohamed Hany’s red card just before half-time. However, they could not break down a resilient Pharaohs defence.

Egypt sealed qualification for the round of 16 ahead of their clash with Angola, while Bafana Bafana must secure their own passage when they face Zimbabwe in Marrakesh.