Anticipation Builds for Group B Showdown
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco is set for a highly anticipated Group B clash as South Africa prepares to face Egypt on Friday, December 26, 2025. The match, scheduled to kick off at 4 PM local time (15:00 GMT) at the Grand Stade d'Agadir, sees both nations vying for an early advantage in the tournament.
The tournament, hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, marks the first time the competition is held over the Christmas and New Year period. South Africa and Egypt are grouped in Group B alongside Angola and Zimbabwe.
Broos Confident Despite Egyptian Star Power
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has publicly stated that his team harbors no fear of Egypt's formidable Premier League players, specifically mentioning Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Omar Marmoush of Manchester City. Broos, who previously led Cameroon to an AFCON title victory over Egypt in 2017, emphasized a team-centric approach.
'We are focused on no one. The most important thing is the team,' Broos stated during a press conference. He acknowledged the individual quality of players like Salah, Marmoush, and Mahmoud Trezeguet, but stressed that South Africa's strategy revolves around countering the collective strength of the Egyptian squad.
Strong Starts for Both Teams
Both South Africa and Egypt commenced their AFCON 2025 campaigns with identical 2-1 victories. Egypt secured their win against Zimbabwe, with a late goal from Mohamed Salah proving decisive. Meanwhile, South Africa overcame Angola, thanks to a goal from Lyle Foster.
These opening results place both teams at the top of Group B with equal points, making their upcoming encounter a critical fixture. A victory for either side would significantly boost their chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
Historical Context and Rivalry
The match will mark the fourth meeting between South Africa and Egypt in the AFCON finals. A notable historical encounter includes South Africa's 1-0 victory over then-hosts Egypt in the Round of 16 during the 2019 tournament, a result that eliminated the Pharaohs. This history adds another layer of intrigue to what is expected to be a fiercely contested match between two of Africa's footballing giants.
6 Comments
Coccinella
Easy to say, but Salah is a game-changer. This is naive.
Muchacho
Overconfidence will cost us. They have multiple threats.
Habibi
Talk is cheap. Let's see if that 'team-centric' approach stops Salah.
Africa
That's the spirit! Bafana Bafana needs this confidence.
Bermudez
Dismissing top talent is a huge mistake. Egypt isn't just one player.
Leonardo
The historical win in 2019 gives Bafana Bafana belief, and Broos is right to build on that confidence. Yet, Egypt's current squad boasts incredible depth beyond just Salah, making them a formidable challenge.