Marrakech – Both winners of their opening matches, Egypt and South Africa face off today in Round 2 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage. The match will be held at Adrar Stadium in Agadir.
من أجل ثاني الانتصارات.. يتجدد موعدنا اليوم 💪🇪🇬
مصر 🆚 جنوب أفريقيا#مصر_في_الكان | #شجع_مصر pic.twitter.com/PSCSO3aG3b
— EFA.eg (@EFA) December 26, 2025
The two nations last matched up in the Round of 16 at the 2019 AFCON, with the South Africans coming out on top 1-0 thanks to a late Thembinkosi Lorch winner.
With three points each in the standings, and identical goal differences – two goals scored and one conceded – today’s match is set to play a pivotal role in determining the Group B standings.
Match Details:
- Fixture: Egypt vs South Africa
- Competition: CAF Africa Cup of Nations– Group B, Round 2
- Venue: Adrar Stadium– Agadir, Morocco
- Date: Friday, December 26
- Kick-off: 4 p.m. (GMT +1)
- Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)
How to Watch
The match will be broadcast on beIN Sports (MENA, US, France), Channel 4seven (UK), and Arryadia TNT (Morocco).
Egypt Team News
After trailing early in their opener against Zimbabwe, the Pharaohs were able to flip the script in the second half. Mohamed Salah, talisman of the Egyptian squad, delivered the winning blow in injury time for his eighth career AFCON goal.
The Liverpool winger, despite an outstanding 64 goals in 110 appearances since his 2011 debut for the Pharaohs, is still chasing an elusive first international trophy. Salah led Egypt to two AFCON finals (2017, 2021), but has, so far, fallen just short of securing continental triumph.
This time around, Salah is accompanied by a budding star in Egypt’s front line: Omar Marmoush. The Manchester City forward delivered for the Pharaohs against Zimbabwe, scoring a much-needed equalizer after a brilliant solo effort, and will look to support Salah and the rest of the Egyptian squad again today.
On the injury front, the Pharaohs could be without Emam Ashour today. The attacking midfielder is a game-time decision for today, after sustaining a 34th-minute injury against Zimbabwe.
In the pre-match press conference, Hossem Hassan, head coach of Egypt, said the Pharaohs’ objective is clear: to take all three points.
“Our motto against South Africa is to win and secure the three points,’ Hassan said. “We respect all the competing teams in the tournament, but we always play to win.”
Egypt Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Al-Shenawy– Hany, Ibrahim, Abdelmaguid, Hamdi– Fathy, Attia– Salah, Zizo, Marmoush– Mohamed
South Africa Team News
Bafana Bafana are undefeated in their last six matches against Egypt, with four wins and two draws. Manager Hugo Broos also has a positive track record against the Pharaohs, most notably having defeated Mohamed Salah’s side in the 2017 AFCON final, while coaching Cameroon.
Broos reflected on the 2017 trophy in his press conference appearance.
“It’s always nice to play against an opponent you’ve beaten already,” Broos joked, before explaining: “First of all, I’m not anymore the coach of Cameroon. Secondly, the Egyptian team has changed a lot. It’s an 8-year difference.”
The Belgian tactician also emphasized the need not to get caught up in Egypt’s individualities.
Lyle Foster delivered a goal and an assist in his side’s 2-1 win against Angola, becoming the first South African player since May Mahlangu against Morocco in 2013 to achieve that feat. The Burnley striker is expected to feature again at the helm of Bafana Bafana’s attack today.
South Africa Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Williams– Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba– Sithole, Mokoena– Nkota, Mbule, Appollis– Foster
