Egypt vs South Africa International Friendly Preview
Egypt welcome South Africa to the Cairo International Stadium for a friendly on Sunday.
Both teams are coming off promising starts to their AFCON campaigns, and with their attacks looking sharp at the moment, goals could be expected here.
Key Stats
- Egypt have scored in eight of their last nine matches in all competitions.
- Egypt have conceded in six of their last nine matches in all competitions.
- South Africa have scored in seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- South Africa have conceded in seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Both teams have scored in two of their last three meetings.
Slight Edge for South Africa
South Africa have five wins while Egypt have picked up four victories, with two draws in the last 11 matches. However, the most recent meeting was a 1-0 victory for the North Africans during the group stage of the 2025 AFCON.
Egypt Looking Confident
Egypt head into this clash off the back of a 5-0 victory over South Sudan in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Omar Marmoush grabbed a brace while Mostafa Ziko, Ibrahim Adel and Hamza Abdelkarim were also on target.
It was a solid return to winning ways for Egypt, who were held to a 0-0 draw in their opening fixture in the qualifiers. The result maintains a solid recent run as the Pharaohs are unbeaten in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
The performance against South Sudan highlights Egypt’s attacking quality, and they have scored in eight of their last nine matches in all competitions. However, Hossam Hassan's team have shown some defensive vulnerability lately and are without a clean sheet in six of those nine fixtures.
South Africa Showing Good Form
South Africa are also coming off a one-sided win after claiming a 5-0 victory over Eritrea in their qualifying fixture. Relebohile Mofokeng netted a brace while Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners and Luther Singh also found the net.
That was the second straight win for South Africa following the 2-1 victory over Guinea in their opening qualifying fixture. Their overall form has also been solid, with Pitso Mosimane's team winning three of their last four matches in all competitions.
Like the hosts, goals have also not been a problem for South Africa, who have scored in seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, Bafana Bafana are often a bit shaky at the back and have conceded in seven of those 10 fixtures.
Team News & Predicted Line-ups
Egypt (4-2-3-1): Mostafa Shobeir; Ahmed Fatouh, Ramy Rabia, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Mohamed Hany; Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour; Ibrahim Adel, Omar Marmoush, Mostafa Ziko; Hamza Abdelkarim.
Egypt are without Mohamed Salah, who left the camp before the win over South Sudan, while Mohamed Abdelmonem is also not expected to feature. Adel and Abdelkarim could earn starts after scoring off the bench in South Sudan, while Marmoush should retain his place following his brace.
South Africa (4-2-3-1): Ronwen Williams; Samukele Kabini, Olwethu Makhanya, Ime Okon, Kamogelo Sebelebele; Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Sphephelo Sithole; Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng, Luther Singh; Iqraam Rayners.
Mofokeng should retain his place in midfield after netting a brace in the win over Eritrea. Singh was also on target off the bench and could earn a start, while Olwethu Makhanya and Ime Okon should continue in central defence.