AFCON 2025 line-ups, stats and preview

Summary of the match between Egypt and South Africa

Seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt will be hoping for a less nerve-wracking experience when they face South Africa in their second match of the 2025 tournament in Agadir.

After falling behind in the first half against underdogs Zimbabwe on Monday, Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush equalized 26 minutes before the end of normal time before Mohamed Salah scored for Liverpool in the 91st minute to lead the team to a 2-1 victory.

Technical director Hossam Hassan said that the Pharaohs “were not lucky” but “wasted many opportunities” on their way to victory.

“We made it more difficult than it should have been,” Hassan said in statements to BeIN Sports via King Fut. “I warned the players about this scenario and we must learn our lesson.”

South Africa also started with three hard-earned points, taking the lead against Angola through an Oswin Abolis goal, but were soon level until Burnley striker Lyle Foster scored the winner in the 79th minute.

Bafana Bafana turned around during the second half, with substitute Tshepang Moremi scoring a narrow goal in the first half, but the referee disallowed the goal for offside, before Foster scored another goal.

“We did some things right during the first half,” coach Hugo Broos said. “Momeri did us a good service. He played very well, he was quick and he was a threat for Angola.

“It changed a lot of things. We were also more aggressive. We put more pressure on our opponents.”

Egypt and South Africa national team news

Egypt replaced Emam Ashour with Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed in the 33rd minute against Zimbabwe.

Hassan Ashour described the Al-Ahly player as a “great player,” but pointed out that the midfielder only returned in mid-November after a two-month absence due to hepatitis A.

Hassan added: “He is not yet fully fit after a long absence.” “I decided to take it off to protect it from pressure.”

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Salah made his first appearance since November 22 in the opening match, having been on Liverpool’s substitutes’ bench in four successive matches, including two as an unused substitute.

Long-serving midfielder Themba Zwane helped South Africa finish third in 2023 and was named in their provisional squad but was sidelined with a knee injury.

Mumere is an obvious candidate to join the squad, with Al-Ettifaq’s Mohau Nkota making room for him on Monday.

Egypt vs. South Africa: expected lineup for the 2025 African Cup of Nations

Egypt in the starting lineup: Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mohamed Hani, Yasser Ibrahim, Hossam Abdel Majeed, Mohamed Hamdy, Mohamed Salah, Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Hamdi Fathi, Trezeguet, Omar Marmoush.

South Africa starting lineup: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Siyabonga Ngazana, Mbekizele Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Tshebang Moremi, Sifilo Sithole, Sipho Mbuli, Teboho Mokoena, Oswin Appolis, Lyle Foster.

How to watch the Egypt-South Africa match: TV channel, live broadcast online

The match starts on Friday at 15:00 GMT (12:00 ET / 09:00 PT). In the UK, live coverage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available on 4seven, All 4 and Channel 4’s YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the broadcaster of the tournament.

Live streaming is available online on a wide range of devices through the Channel 4 website and beIN Sports app.

Egypt vs. South Africa: 2025 African Cup of Nations statistics

• Egypt are unbeaten in 11 Africa Cup of Nations matches in open play (W4 D7) since losing to Nigeria in their opening match in 2021, although they were winless in six matches in open play (D6) before the win over Zimbabwe.
• Each of their last five Africa Cup of Nations opponents has scored a goal against them since the 0-0 draw with Senegal and penalty shootout defeat in the 2021 final.
• They were unbeaten in six group matches (D3 W3) and came from behind to win a finals match for the first time since their victory over Morocco in the 2021 Round of 16.
• The victory will see Egypt begin with consecutive victories for the 11th time and the first since 2019
• This loss to Nigeria is the team’s only defeat in the last 23 group matches (W15, D7).
• Salah has eight goals in 20 Africa Cup of Nations matches across five editions, having scored with his only shot on target, as well as creating six chances – more than any other player.
• South Africa is seeking to achieve two primary victories for the third time, having previously achieved this feat in 1996 and 2000.
• They won their opening match against Benin in 2004, but then lost in the second match to Nigeria
• Since defeat to Mali in 2023, South Africa have been unbeaten in seven Africa Cup of Nations matches in open play (W3 D4).
• After not achieving any wins in four matches against North African teams previously (D1 L3), South Africa won its last two matches, beating Egypt in 2019 and Morocco in 2023.
• In his fourth finals, Ronwen Williams appeared in his 12th AFCON match to equal Andre Arendse for the most appearances at the tournament by a South African goalkeeper.
• Against Zimbabwe, Foster became the first South African player to score a goal and provide an assist in an Africa Cup of Nations match since Mai Malango against Morocco in 2013.