Composition, statistics and preview of CAN 2025

Egypt-South Africa preview

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

After trailing underdogs Zimbabwe at half-time on Monday, Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush equalized 26 minutes from normal time before Liverpool counterpart Mohamed Salah scored in the 91st minute in their 2-1 victory.

Manager Hossam Hassan said the Pharaohs were “unlucky” but “wasted many chances” on their way to victory.

“We made things more difficult than they should have been,” Hassan told BeIN Sports, via King Was. “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 Appollis goal, but being quickly pegged back until Burnley striker Lyle Foster scored the winner in the 79th minute.

Bafana Bafana were transformed in the second half, with half-time substitute Tshepang Moremi having a goal narrowly ruled out for offside before Foster did better.

“We did some things well at halftime,” said coach Hugo Broos. “Momeri did us a good service. He played very well, he was fast 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-South Africa team news

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

Hassan called Al-Ahly’s Ashour a “great player”, but pointed out that the midfielder only returned in mid-November after two months out due to hepatitis A.

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

Salah made his first start since November 22 in the opener, having been on the Liverpool bench for four consecutive matches, including two as an unused substitute.

Long-time midfielder Themba Zwane helped South Africa to a third-place finish in 2023 and was named in their provisional squad, but missed his chance with a knee injury.

Momeri is an obvious candidate to join their team, with Al-Ettifaq’s Mohau Nkota making way for him on Monday.

Egypt versus South Africa: composition planned for CAN 2025

Egypt starting lineup: Mohamed El Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Mohamed Hamdy, Mohamed Salah, Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Hamdi Fathy, Trezeguet, Omar Marmoush

South Africa starting lineup: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Tshepang Moremi, Sphephelo Sithole, Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena, Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster

How to watch Egypt vs South Africa: TV channel, live stream online

Kick-off on Friday will be at 3:00 p.m. GMT (12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT). In the UK, live CAN 2025 coverage is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channels. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.

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

Egypt versus South Africa: CAN 2025 statistics

• Egypt are unbeaten in 11 open play AFCON matches (4 wins, 7 draws) since losing to Nigeria in their opening match of 2021, although they had gone six without a win in open play (6 draws) before beating Zimbabwe.
• Each of their last five AFCON opponents have scored against them since the 0-0 draw against Senegal and the penalty shootout defeat in the 2021 final.
• They are unbeaten in six group matches (3 draws, 3 wins) and came from behind to win a match in the final for the first time since their victory against Morocco in the 2021 round of 16.
• Victory would see Egypt start with successive victories for the 11th time and first since 2019.
• This defeat against Nigeria is their only defeat in their last 23 group matches (15 wins, 7 draws).
• Salah has scored eight goals in 20 AFCON matches over five editions after scoring with his only shot on target, and creating six chances – more than any other player.
• South Africa are aiming for two opening victories for the third time, having previously achieved the feat in 1996 and 2000.
• They won their first match against Benin in 2004, but then lost their second against Nigeria.
• Since its defeat against Mali in 2023, South Africa is undefeated in seven CAN matches in open play (3 wins, 4 draws)
• After going winless in four matches against North African teams (D1, L3), South Africa have won their last two such encounters, beating Egypt in 2019 and Morocco in 2023.
• In his fourth final, Ronwen Williams appeared in his 12th AFCON match to tie 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 AFCON match since May Mahlangu against Morocco in 2013.