Overview:
This will be the fourth meeting at Afcon between the two giants with Egypt claiming two victories and South Africa once.
Friday Fixtures – All Times EAT
- Angola vs Zimbabwe – 3:30 pm
- Egypt vs South Africa – 6 pm
- Zambia vs Comoros – 8 pm
- Morocco vs Mali – 11 pm
Egypt and South Africa aim to seal qualification to the round of 16 when they clash at Grande Stade d’Agadir in the second game of Group B at Afcon 2025.
Both were winners in their opening matches, with the Bafana Bafana seeing off a determined Angola 2-1, while Egypt came from behind to beat Zimbabwe 2-1 as well.
Hossam Hassan, the Egyptian head coach, understands the strength and style of South Africa, who eliminated them at home in 2019, but says the Pharaohs play to win and will go for the result.
“We respect all teams, and South Africa are among the strong sides, but we play to achieve positive results and to collect the three points. Every match is important,” he told reporters in Rabat.
“South Africa’s style of play is similar to their clubs, but we are prepared. We have faced their clubs, Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Pyramids, on several occasions, and we defeated South Africa in 1998. God willing, we will repeat that victory.”
“The numbers and statistics confirm our superiority in the Zimbabwe match, and we performed at a high level, especially Mohamed Salah.” “Football is unpredictable, and every team that faces Egypt will do their best to achieve positive results against us, but as I said, we are ready.”
He emphasised that Mohamed El Shenawy is one of the best goalkeepers in Africa and Salah is one of the best players in the world.
He added, “I have confidence in all the players and I am satisfied with their performance.”
Hassan said the fitness of striker Mostafa Mohamed and defender Mohamed Hamdy would be decided after Thursday’s training session.
This will be the fourth meeting at Afcon between the two giants, with Egypt claiming two victories and South Africa once.
Elsewhere on Friday, Zimbabwe face Angola in a Cosafa derby in the same group, while in Group A, hosts Morocco entertains Mali, while Comoros take on Zambia.