Record seven-time champions Egypt prepare to face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a highly anticipated Group B encounter at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The clash, scheduled for Friday at 15:00 GMT at Adrar Stadium in Agadir, Morocco, marks a pivotal moment for both nations as they vie for early dominance in what has been dubbed the “group of death.” Both teams secured opening victories, setting the stage for a compelling battle with significant implications for progression to the knockout rounds.
The current standings see Egypt and South Africa level on three points each, possessing identical goal differences following their initial triumphs. A win for either side in this second round of fixtures guarantees an automatic spot in the Round of 16, amplifying the stakes. Zimbabwe and Angola, despite their opening defeats, remain mathematically in contention, though a loss for either in their upcoming match would severely diminish their hopes.
Egypt commenced their AFCON 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe. Despite early Egyptian control, Prince Dube unexpectedly put Zimbabwe ahead in the 20th minute. Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush later equalised for the Pharaohs in the 64th minute, before talisman Mohamed Salah netted a crucial injury-time winner, securing all three points for Hossam Hassan’s side.
South Africa also earned a 2-1 win in their first Group B fixture, overcoming near neighbours Angola. This marked Bafana Bafana’s first opening AFCON victory in 21 years, a testament to their renewed continental ambitions. Oswin Appollis initially gave South Africa the lead, though Angola’s Show levelled before halftime. Lyle Foster’s decisive goal from outside the box proved critical, enhancing South Africa’s prospects in a challenging group.
Much of the attention surrounding Egypt continues to centre on superstar forward Mohamed Salah. Despite recent public discussions regarding his future at Liverpool, his international coach Hossam Hassan affirms Salah’s full dedication to Egypt’s AFCON campaign. The 33-year-old, a two-time Cup of Nations runner-up in 2017 and 2021, remains determined to add an international honour to his impressive collection of club trophies. Speculation persists about a potential Saudi Arabian offer, but for now, his focus is solely on national team success.
Egypt boasts an unparalleled record in the Africa Cup of Nations, having lifted the trophy a record seven times. Their first triumph came in the inaugural 1957 edition, and they famously secured three consecutive titles between 2006 and 2010. In contrast, South Africa has won the tournament only once, achieving success as hosts in 1996. Bafana Bafana also reached the final in 1998 and secured bronze medals in the previous AFCON edition.
This upcoming fixture marks the tenth meeting between these two continental giants. Historically, South Africa holds a slight edge, having won five of their previous encounters compared to Egypt’s four victories. A notable past clash occurred in the 1998 AFCON final, where Egypt defeated South Africa 2-0, securing their fourth title and denying Bafana Bafana consecutive championships. Their last competitive meeting in the 2019 Round of 16 saw South Africa emerge victorious with a late goal from Thembinkosi Lorch.
Both coaches are expected to field largely unchanged lineups following their opening victories. Egypt’s Hossam Hassan has only a minor concern over Mohamed Hamdi’s fitness but anticipates a stable squad. Similarly, South Africa’s Hugo Broos is likely to retain the team that defeated Angola, though Tshepang Moremi is reportedly pushing for a starting spot, potentially threatening Relebohile Mofokeng’s position on the wing.
The path to the knockout rounds allows the top two teams from each of the six groups to qualify automatically for the Round of 16. Additionally, the four best third-placed finishers from across all groups will also progress, adding another layer of strategic complexity to the group stage. This system means even teams that do not finish in the top two can still advance with strong performances.
The final group stage matches for both teams are scheduled for Monday, concluding the Group B fixtures. Angola will face Egypt at Adrar Stadium, while Zimbabwe takes on South Africa at Marrakesh Stadium, both kicking off at 16:00 GMT. The outcomes of these matches, coupled with Friday’s results, will definitively determine which nations secure their passage to the coveted knockout stages.
