From Cape To Cairo, A Rivalry Like No Other! Bafana Bafana Prepare To Re-Ignite Exciting AFCON Heavyweight Battle Against Egypt
Image Credit : CAF
Their encounters have always produced masterclass perfomances over the years and their rivalry always triggers excitement whenever both teams play each other. They meet each other once again at the Grande Stade D’Agadir , on Friday, with qualification for the knockout stage of this year’s African Cup Of Nations Cup at stake.
Egypt and South Africa have started their AFCON Campaigns very strongly, with both defeating their opponents, Zimbabwe and Angola respectively, to go joint top of Group B in this year’s tournament. This will be their fourth meeting at AFCON finals, having previously clashed in 1996, 1998 and 2019. From their previous encounters at the Nations Cup, Egypt has won twice and South Africa has been triumphant once.
The first time Egypt and South Africa played each other at the Africa Nations Cup, was on the 24th of January 1996 in a match that was played at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.Current Bafana Bafana assistant manager, Helman Mkhalele, played for South Africa in that match which was won by Egypt through a solitary goal by Ahmed El Kaas. Both teams progressed from their group and South Africa went on to create history by going all the way to win the Nations Cup in their debut tournament.
Two years later, both teams enjoyed consistently successful perfomances at the 1998 AFCON which took place in Burkina Faso, and this led to their second meeting in the final of that tournament. Early goals by Ahmed Hassan and Tarek Mostafa were enough to help Egypt beat Bafana Bafana 2-0 on their way to lifting the AFCON Title in Ouagadougou. Current Egyptian Manager Hossam Hassan captained the Egyptian team in that unforgettable encounter.
It would take another 21 years before their most recent AFCON meeting which took place in 2019 and on this occasion, South Africa eliminated hosts Egypt with a 1-0 win in their Round of 16 tie at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, courtesy of a late, 85th minute Thembinkosi Lorch strike.
Going into Friday’s match at the Grande Stade D’Agadir, South Africa has a very strong overall record against Egypt. These two nations have met 14 times with South Africa winning eight games, Egypt being victorious on four occasions with two games ending in a draw. South Africa are undefeated in their last six games against Egypt, winning four of these and drawing two. Egypt have not recorded a victory against South Africa in the last 19 years. The Pharaohs’ last win over South Africa was a 1-0 win in a friendly game on the 15th of November 2006 in Griffin Park in London in the United Kingdom. Former Al Ahly player, Emad Moteab scored the only goal of that match in the 3rd minute.
All eyes will be focused on the tantalisingly intriguing potential duel between Aubrey Modiba and Mohamed Salah. Modiba played really well against Angola, having won eight duels, the most of any player in that particular game.However, there were moments where Modiba struggled against the pace and trickery of Angolan winger Zito Luvumbo, and got frustrated before eventually being booked by the referee and being given an unnecessary yellow card. Modiba knows that he will have to be at his best if he is to contain Mohamed Salah throughout the entirety of Friday’s match in Agadir.
Bafana Bafana will need to heavily rely on the leadership and consistent stewardship of captain Ronwen Williams who will surpass Andre Arendse’s national record for most AFCON appearances by a South African goalkeeper when he plays against Egypt in Agadir. This match is going to be Williams’ 13th match at the AFCON finals, with this being his fourth tournament representing South Africa. . Williams has kept six clean sheets at previous AFCON tournaments, and this is the joint-most for a South African goalkeeper. He made three saves against Angola from four shots. Williams is expected to thwart goal attempts from the likes of Omar Marmoush, Mustapha Mohamed, Trezeguet and Mohamed Salah , and his perfomance on Friday will prove to be vital if Bafana Bafana are going to avoid defeat at the Grande Stade D’Agadir.
A lot will also be expected from Lyle Foster, who with his spirited display against Angola, became the first South African player to score and assist in the same AFCON match since May Mahlangu against Morocco in 2013.His Premier League experience could count in Bafana Bafana’s favour in this epic battle of Africa’s footballing titans.
A victory for either side, will go a long way in determining the winner of this Group and provide a strong indication of whether Bafana Bafana have the credentials to go all the way and lift their first AFCON Title in nearly 30 years.
Bafana Bafana Expected Starting Lineup : Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Sphephelo Sithole, Teboho Mokoena, Elias Mokwana, Sipho Mbule, Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster.
Egypt Expected Starting Lineup : Mohamed El Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hamdy, Emam Ashour, Marwan Attia, Hamdy Fathy, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Omar Marmoush, Mohamed Salah.
Jonathan Kaseke
