Benni McCarthy notched the winner on the stroke of halftime when he stretched to convert an inswinging cross from new South Africa captain Sibusiso Zuma.

Egypt, who play Group A rivals Libya in the Nations Cup opener in Cairo on Friday, produced a mediocre performance in front of a small crowd and left the field to jeers from the home supporters.

The home team went a goal down after 13 minutes when a cross hit striker Amr Zaki and rebounded into his own net.

Zaki was on the scoresheet at the right end 11 minutes later when he converted a penalty after South Africa's giant centre back Pierre Issa was adjudged to have brought down Emad Moteab.

McCarthy's winner ended a record-equalling run of nine games without a victory for South Africa, who head to Alexandria on Sunday for their opening Nations Cup game against Group C opponents Guinea on Jan. 22.