Egypt staged a magnificent rally to beat South Africa 3-2 and win the gold medal in the All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria, on Thursday.

The victory, via a golden goal, also earned the Egyptians a berth in the Athens Olympics.

South Africa had the gold medal and Olympic qualification within their grasp as they led 2-0 till 18 minutes from time. But the Egyptians staged a spirited fightback and scored twice, first through a field goal from Ibrahim Belal, who had earlier wasted a penalty-stoke by sending the ball over the bar, and then through captain Yasser Abdelmonem, from a penalty-corner seconds from the end of regular time.

Seven minutes into extra-time, Adman Elsayed, who played with a broken nose, scored the golden goal for Egypt.

Earlier, Justin King scored off a penalty-corner in the seventh minute and Clyde Abrahams made it 2-0 with a field goal in the 45th minute to put the South Africans high in the saddle.

South Africa, who finished the league stage of the tournament with maximum 12 points from four matches, will now have to finish among the top seven teams in the Olympic qualifier in Madrid in March 2004 to make the trip to Athens.

Ghana claimed the bronze medal, beating Nigeria 2-1 in the third place play-off.

Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria now head for next week's Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad.

Egypt are grouped with India, Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Games.