After eventless 90 minutes, Mphela, nicknamed Killer, outran his marker Wael Gomaa to latch onto a precise pass, before releasing a fierce low drive that drilled into the net and sent the home fans at Ellis Park into rapture.

Egypt remain at the bottom of Group G with a single point after two losses and one draw, a streak of unsatisfying results that caused the defending champions to almost lose their qualification chances.

Leaders South Africa became on the brink of qualifying for the Nations Cup on seven points upon registering the victory, which is their first-ever over the Pharaohs.

Egypt coach Hassan Shehata employed a defensive 3-5-2 formation in Saturday's qualifier, with Ahmed Fathi, Mohamed Shawky and Hosni Abd-Rabou deployed as holding midfielders.

Hossam Ghaly took on the sweeper role behind Gomaa and Mahmoud Fathalla, while Ahmed Elmohamady and Sayed Moawad played as right and left wingers.

A strike partnership consisting of Sayed Hamdi and Shikabala was far from potent, before Geddo was introduced to relatively refresh the frontline, albeit to no avail.

Dull Affair

The game was a dull affair that only witnessed a handful of scoring opportunities from both sides, who lacked fluency and caused the match's tempo to be slow.

Shikabala was the first to try to open the scoring with a tame free kick from a tight angle but his effort was easily caught by keeper Itumeleng Khune.

Two minutes from the hour mark, Shawki tried his luck from distance only to see his shot go wide.

Egypt's first clear-cut chance fell to Fathallah, who headed a corner kick inches over the cross bar.

Right after the interval, one of Shikabala's trademark tireless runs was followed by a feeble low shot that posed no threat.

Abd-Rabou, who made way for Geddo later, came close to scoring when he fired a curling long-range free kick that narrowly swerved away.

The in-form Shikabala once again squandered a chance to put Egypt ahead when Fathi sent him a cross, only for the Zamalek star to mishit his shot near the six-yard box.

Essam Al-Hadari was roughly tested midway through the second period when he denied Anele Ngcongca and Mphela in quick succession, before getting caught in the face by the latter.

The veteran guardian was briefly treated and carried on playing.

Shawky could have broken the deadlock when he connected with a corner kick from point-blank range with the goal at his mercy, but saw the ball go right past the woodwork.

Mohamed Zidan replaced Shikabala in the dying minutes but barely made an impact.