Egypt v South Africa preview
Seven-time Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) champions Egypt will hope for a much less nerve-shredding expertise after they face South Africa of their second match of the 2025 event in Agadir.
Having been behind at half-time to underdogs Zimbabwe on Monday, Manchester Metropolis ahead Omar Marmoush equalised with 26 minutes of standard time remaining earlier than Liverpool counterpart Mohamed Salah struck the 91st-minute of their 2-1 win.
Supervisor Hossam Hassan mentioned the Pharaohs have been “unfortunate” however “wasted many probabilities” on their method to victory.
“We made it more durable than it ought to have been,” Hassan informed BeIN Sports activities, by way of King Fut. “I warned the gamers about this situation and we have now to be taught the lesson.”
South Africa additionally began with three hard-earned factors, taking the lead in opposition to Angola by Oswin Appollis’ strike however swiftly being pegged again till Burnley ahead Lyle Foster curled within the 79th-minute winner.
Bafana Bafana have been reworked throughout the second half, with half-time substitute Tshepang Moremi narrowly having a objective dominated out for offside earlier than Foster went one higher.
“We acquired some issues proper throughout half-time,” mentioned boss Hugo Broos. “Momeri gave us good service. He performed very properly, was fast and was a risk to Angola.
“That modified plenty of issues. We have been additionally extra aggressive. We put extra stress on our opponents.”
Egypt v South Africa group information
Egypt changed Emam Ashour with Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed within the thirty third minute in opposition to Zimbabwe.
Hassan known as Al-Ahly’s Ashour “an awesome participant” however identified that the midfielder solely returned in mid-November after two months out with Hepatitis A.
“He’s not totally match but after a protracted absence,” added Hassan. “I made a decision to take him off to guard him from the stress.”
Salah made his first begin since November 22 within the opener, having been on Liverpool’s bench for 4 consecutive matches, together with two as an unused substitute.
Lengthy-serving midfielder Themba Zwane helped South Africa end third in 2023 and was named of their provisional squad however missed out by a knee damage.
Momeri is an apparent candidate to return in to their line-up, with Al-Ettifaq’s Mohau Nkota making approach for him on Monday.
Egypt v South Africa: AFCON 2025 predicted line-ups
Egypt beginning 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 beginning XI: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Tshepang Moremi, Sphephelo Sithole, Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena, Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster
Tips on how to watch Egypt v South Africa: TV channel, dwell on-line stream
Kick-off on Friday is at 15:00 GMT (12:00 ET / 09:00 PT). Within the UK, dwell AFCON 2025 protection is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channel. Within the USA, beIN Sports activities is the event broadcaster.
On-line dwell streaming is accessible on an unlimited vary of units by Channel 4’s web site and app and the beIN Sports activities app.
Egypt v South Africa: AFCON 2025 stats
- Egypt are 11 AFCON video games unbeaten in open play (W4 D7) since their defeat to Nigeria of their opening recreation in 2021, though that they had gone six with out victory in open play (D6) earlier than beating Zimbabwe
- Every of their final 5 AFCON opponents have scored in opposition to them since a 0-0 draw with Senegal and defeat on penalties within the 2021 ultimate
- They’re undefeated in six group video games (D3 W3) and got here from behind to win a recreation on the finals for the primary time since beating Morocco within the 2021 spherical of 16
- Victory would see Egypt begin with successive wins for an eleventh time and the primary since 2019
- That loss in opposition to Nigeria is their solely defeat of their final 23 group video games (W15 D7)
- Salah has eight targets in 20 AFCON video games throughout 5 editions after netting together with his solely shot on track, in addition to creating six probabilities – greater than some other participant
- South Africa are focusing on two opening wins for a 3rd time, having beforehand achieved the feat in 1996 and 2000
- They gained their opening recreation in opposition to Benin in 2004 however then misplaced their second in opposition to Nigeria
- Since a defeat to Mali in 2023, South Africa are undefeated in seven AFCON matches in open play (W3 D4)
- Having gone winless in 4 matches in opposition to North African groups beforehand (D1 L3), South Africa have gained their final two such encounters by beating Egypt in 2019 and Morocco in 2023
- At his fourth finals, Ronwen Williams featured in his twelfth AFCON recreation to match Andre Arendse for essentially the most appearances on the event by a South Africa goalkeeper
- Towards Zimbabwe, Foster turned the primary South Africa participant to supply a objective and help in an AFCON recreation since Could Mahlangu in opposition to Morocco in 2013
