Egypt vs South Africa – News and Probable Lineups

Egypt will take on South Africa in an international friendly at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, with kickoff set for local time (UTC).

Both squads come into this fixture with impressive 5-0 victories in the qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with Egypt triumphing over South Sudan on Tuesday and South Africa defeating Eritrea in Cairo on Wednesday.

The last encounter between the two sides occurred on December 26, when Mohamed Salah’s penalty in the first half helped 10-man Egypt secure a 1-0 victory at the 2025 AFCON. However, Salah is unlikely to participate this Sunday, and South Africa now has Pitso Mosimane at the helm following Hugo Broos’s departure.

Match overview

Egypt’s performance at the 2026 World Cup was historic, with the Pharaohs finishing as runners-up in Group G after drawing with Belgium and Iran while securing a 3-1 win against New Zealand, marking their first World Cup victory.

They later overcame Australia in the Round of 32 via penalties, making it their first knockout victory in World Cup history, with Hossam Abdelmaguid scoring the winning shot.

Argentina halted their journey with a 3-2 defeat in the Round of 16, despite Egypt having the lead 2-0 from goals by Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, along with a saved penalty from Lionel Messi by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir before Enzo Fernandez netted the decisive goal in injury time.

The qualification campaign for the 2027 AFCON kicked off with a 0-0 stalemate against Angola at Cairo International Stadium on September 25, during which Hossam Hassan substituted Salah shortly after the 60th minute.

Egypt secured a 5-0 triumph in Juba on September 29, with Zico netting in the 36th minute, Omar Marmoush scoring twice in the 49th and 83rd minutes, Ibrahim Adel finding the net in the 75th minute, and Hamza Abdelkarim adding another in stoppage time, putting the Pharaohs at the top of their group with four points.

Marmoush’s double was his first for Egypt since March, bringing him to 13 international goals, raising the question of whether he can maintain his form without Salah present on Sunday.

South Africa reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in 2026, finishing second in Group A, only to lose 1-0 to Canada in the Round of 32 due to a stoppage-time goal from Stephen Eustaquio on June 28.

Broos departed on July 31 after over five years in charge, and veteran coach Mosimane, who previously managed the team from 2010 to 2012, was appointed again on September 1.

Bafana Bafana began Group D with a 2-1 win against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on September 26, where defender Ime Okon scored in the 31st minute, followed by Seydouba Cisse equalizing before substitute Samukele Kabini restored their lead.

They followed this with a compelling 5-0 victory over Eritrea at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on September 30, with Relebohile Mofokeng scoring twice—once in the 19th minute and again during first-half injury time—before Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners, and Luther Singh added to the tally.

Oswin Appollis provided the assists for both Rayners’ and Singh’s goals, marking him as the standout playmaker of the evening.

Mosimane has fielded his strongest available squads for each of the two qualifiers, and he has indicated that this match will be Bafana Bafana’s sole friendly in preparation for next year’s AFCON, suggesting significant rotation in the lineup.

Team News

Salah is unlikely to appear, with reports suggesting he has returned to Trabzonspor in Turkey despite head coach Hassan mentioning prior to the South Sudan match that he would rejoin the squad.

The Egyptian Football Association indicated that Salah’s absence in Juba was mutually agreed upon due to the artificial surface, and Hassan has denied any suggestion of a rift following the substitution against Angola.

Defender Mohamed Abdelmonem has also agreed to return to Nice after opting not to travel to Juba, a choice that former Egypt striker Mido has publicly criticized.

Ahmed Fatouh is dealing with a muscle injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until late October, making Karim Hafez, who came on for him in the 53rd minute in Juba, the likely candidate for the left-back position.

Additionally, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Yasser Ibrahim, and goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy are also nursing injuries, while Al Ahly, who have six players in the squad, has reportedly contemplated requesting their exemption after Hassan’s comments regarding El Shenawy, especially with the Zamalek derby scheduled for October 11.

For South Africa, midfielders Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas are unavailable, with Mokoena sustaining an injury late in the Guinea game and Aubaas forced off early against Eritrea.

Left-back Aubrey Modiba’s status is doubtful after he missed the Eritrea contest, which saw Kabini step in.

This leaves Sithole and Brooklyn Poggenpoel, who made his debut 12 minutes into the Eritrea match when Aubaas departed, as the only recognized defensive midfielders available.

Mosimane has stated he will implement significant changes to the team, with goalkeepers Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss, alongside Fawaaz Basadien, Khulumani Ndamane, Shandre Campbell, Puso Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews, and Cassius Mailula expected to get playing time.

The captain Ronwen Williams is the only goalkeeper who has seen action in this camp so far, with Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Evidence Makgopa both ruled out due to injuries.

Egypt probable starting XI:

Shobeir; Hany, Abdelmaguid, Rabia, Hafez; Attia, Lasheen; Ashour, Zico, Hassan; Marmoush

South Africa probable starting XI:

Chain; Damane, and Sibiz, and Shema, and Bazadian; Sithole, Poggenpoel; Matthews, Zwane, Theater; Maylula

Egypt’s lineup will likely resemble the one that achieved a 5-0 victory in Juba, as Fatouh is the only player definitely missing, and the Pharaohs have yet to concede a goal in either of their qualifiers, while South Africa is making several changes to their team and has lost Mokoena and Aubaas from the midfield.

Hassan is in need of a solid result at home following the Salah situation and the draw against Angola, while Mosimane has positioned the matchup as a critical test for his squad, which is why the home team is favored rather than a stalemate.