Ambition and continental pride take center stage this weekend as two of Africa’s footballing giants, Egypt and South Africa, prepare for a high-stakes Group B showdown. The clash, set to take place at the Grand Stade d’Agadir in Morocco, is already being hailed as one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament, renewing a rivalry that has produced some of the most dramatic moments in AFCON history.
For many fans, this match brings back vivid memories of their 2019 encounter. According to records tracked by Reports, that was the night South Africa stunned a 60,000-strong home crowd in Cairo, knocking the Pharaohs out in the Round of 16 thanks to a late strike by Thembinkosi Lorch. While six years have passed, the prestige of the fixture remains intact, especially since both teams are coming off opening-day victories and are fighting for an early ticket to the knockout rounds.
Egypt enters the fray following a narrow 2–1 win over Zimbabwe, a match decided by a dramatic stoppage-time goal from captain Mohamed Salah. Head coach Hossam Hassan, who famously played in the 1998 final where Egypt defeated South Africa, knows exactly what to expect. He praised the current Bafana Bafana squad for their aggressive, short-passing style, noting that his technical bench has spent hours analyzing how to contain their movement. Midfielder Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet echoed this focus, stating that while the 2019 loss still lingers in the minds of fans, the players are strictly focused on the future and making the Egyptian people proud.
On the other side, South Africa traveled from Marrakech to Agadir buzzing with confidence after their 2–1 win against Angola. Coach Hugo Broos, a man who knows how to beat Egypt after leading Cameroon to victory against them in the 2017 final, remains respectful but undaunted. He acknowledged the threat posed by stars like Salah and Marmoush but emphasized that South Africa has its own quality to showcase. Much of that threat lies with Lyle Foster, whose stellar performance in the opener has kept team morale at an all-time high. Foster warned against complacency, noting that with both teams tied on three points, this game is essentially a battle for the top spot in the group.
History, interestingly enough, seems to be on the side of the South Africans. Reports finds that Egypt has struggled to find a way past Bafana Bafana in recent years; South Africa is undefeated in their last six meetings, winning four of them. In fact, you have to go all the way back to a 2006 friendly in London to find the last time the Pharaohs tasted victory against this specific opponent. As the two sides prepare to step onto the pitch in Agadir, fans can expect a masterclass in strategy and skill as Egypt looks to break a nearly two-decade-long jinx.
