The Egypt national team is set to host South Africa in an international friendly on 4 October 2026. The South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed the fixture on Wednesday, 3 September 2026. The match will be played at Cairo International Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 20h00 South African time.
This friendly comes at a significant moment for the Pharaohs, who currently sit second in their World Cup qualifying group with 5 points from 3 games. The team has scored 5 goals and conceded 3 in these qualifiers, and the match follows their last result, a 3-2 defeat to Argentina on 7 July. Fans can check the team's upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
This game represents a strong test for Egypt as they prepare to resume their qualifying campaign. SAFA president Danny Jordaan stated, "Matches against Egypt are always tough, and we do not expect anything less in this latest instalment." The test comes as the team's recent form over the last five matches shows one win, three draws, and one loss.
The Pharaohs are currently without the sidelined Amadou Onana due to injury, posing challenges for the technical staff to evaluate alternatives. The match will be an opportunity to assess performance in the absence of a key element, especially against the strong competition South Africa will provide.
The return of Pitso Mosimane to coach South Africa adds a special dimension to this encounter. Mosimane coached Egyptian giants Al Ahly from 2020 to 2022, leading them to back-to-back CAF Champions League titles, plus the Egyptian Premier League and Egyptian Cup. Danny Jordaan added, "I think that coach Pitso’s return to Bafana Bafana will add another twist because they know him very well in the North African country."
Mosimane approaches this match having already addressed criticism surrounding his return to the national team, making it clear that differing opinions will not distract him. The South African coach's deep knowledge of the Egyptian football environment could give his side unique insight.
The two sides last met in December 2025, with Egypt securing a 1-0 victory thanks to a Mohamed Salah penalty. Despite being reduced to 10 players during that match, the North Africans managed to hold onto their lead until the final whistle. This background adds extra spice to the upcoming fixture, with South Africa seeking revenge.
This encounter falls within South Africa's preparations for the start of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, where they will face Guinea on 26 September and Eritrea on 30 September. Meanwhile, Egypt will focus on improving their position in the World Cup qualifying standings.
The Pharaohs enter this friendly period in mixed form, having scored 5 and conceded 3 in World Cup qualifying so far. The team's recent form over the last five matches reads LDDWD, indicating a need to bolster both offensive and defensive performances. The upcoming match will be a real benchmark before the official international fixtures resume.
Fans can review the latest team statistics on our stats page, which track performance developments during the current period. The immediate focus will be on compensating for Amadou Onana's absence and strengthening the midfield ahead of the October clash with South Africa.
