Egypt v South Africa: Line-ups, stats and preview
Egypt v South Africa preview
Seven-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) titleholders Egypt are hoping for a more composed outing as they prepare to clash with South Africa in their second match of the 2025 tournament in Agadir.
After trailing at the interval to underdog Zimbabwe on Monday, Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush leveled the score with 26 minutes left on the clock before Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah netted the winner in the 91st minute, sealing a 2-1 victory.
Coach Hossam Hassan expressed that the Pharaohs were “unlucky” but noted that they “missed numerous opportunities” during the match.
“We made it tougher than necessary,” Hassan explained to BeIN Sports, via King Fut. “I cautioned the players about this situation, and we must absorb the lesson.”
South Africa also started strong, earning themselves three hard-fought points. They initially took the lead against Angola with a strike from Oswin Appollis but quickly conceded an equalizer until Burnley’s Lyle Foster curled in the winner in the 79th minute.
Bafana Bafana showed significant improvement in the second half, with substitute Tshepang Moremi narrowly having a goal disallowed for offside before Foster scored.
“We made several adjustments at halftime,” stated manager Hugo Broos. “Momeri provided excellent support. He performed admirably, was quick, and posed a significant threat to Angola.
“That made a big difference. We also played more aggressively and applied more pressure on our opponents.”
Egypt v South Africa team news
During the match against Zimbabwe, Egypt substituted Emam Ashour for Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed in the 33rd minute.
Hassan acknowledged Al-Ahly’s Ashour as “a great player” but highlighted that he returned only in mid-November after a two-month battle with Hepatitis A.
“He’s not yet fully fit from his long absence,” Hassan remarked. “I opted to substitute him to shield him from the pressure.”
Salah made his first starting appearance since November 22 in the opener, after being on Liverpool’s bench for four straight matches, including two where he did not play.
Veteran midfielder Themba Zwane, who assisted South Africa in finishing third in 2023, was included in their provisional squad but was sidelined by a knee injury.
Momeri is likely to step into their lineup, with Al-Ettifaq’s Mohau Nkota being substituted out on Monday.
Egypt v South Africa: AFCON 2025 predicted line-ups
Egypt starting XI: Mohamed El Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Mohamed Hamdy, Mohamed Salah, Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Hamdi Fathy, Trezeguet, Omar Marmoush
South Africa starting XI: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Tshepang Moremi, Sphephelo Sithole, Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena, Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster
How to watch Egypt v South Africa: TV channel, live online stream
The kick-off on Friday is scheduled for 15:00 GMT (12:00 ET / 09:00 PT). In the UK, live coverage of AFCON 2025 can be found on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4, and YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports serves as the tournament broadcaster.
Live streaming online is accessible on a wide array of devices through Channel 4’s website and app, as well as the beIN Sports app.
Egypt v South Africa: AFCON 2025 stats
Egypt remains unbeaten in 11 AFCON matches in open play (W4 D7) since their setback against Nigeria in their first game in 2021. However, they had gone six consecutive matches without a win in open play (D6) prior to defeating Zimbabwe.
Each of their last five opponents in AFCON have found the net against them since a scoreless draw with Senegal and subsequent penalty shootout loss in the 2021 final.
They are also unbeaten in their last six group contests (D3 W3) and overcame a deficit to win a match in the finals for the first time since defeating Morocco in the 2021 round of 16.
A victory would mark Egypt’s 11th instance of starting with consecutive wins, their first occurrence since 2019.
That loss to Nigeria remains their sole defeat in the past 23 group matches (W15 D7).
Salah boasts eight goals in 20 AFCON contests spanning five tournaments after scoring with his only shot on goal, while also crafting six chances—more than any other player.
South Africa aims for two opening victories for a third time, having previously accomplished this in 1996 and 2000.
They won their initial match against Benin in 2004 but subsequently lost their second to Nigeria.
Following a loss to Mali in 2023, South Africa has remained unbeaten in seven AFCON matches in open play (W3 D4).
After going four matches without a victory against North African sides (D1 L3), South Africa has claimed two recent wins against such teams, defeating Egypt in 2019 and Morocco in 2023.
Ronwen Williams, featuring in his fourth finals, played in his 12th AFCON match, equaling Andre Arendse for the most appearances by a South Africa goalkeeper in the tournament.
In the match against Zimbabwe, Foster became the first South African to score and assist in an AFCON game since May Mahlangu accomplished the feat against Morocco in 2013.
Published: 2025-12-26 10:00:00
source: www.101greatgoals.com
