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Bafana Bafana players during training.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will reach an early climax on Friday when South Africa take on Egypt in a top-of-the-table Group B match in Agadir, Morocco.
Bafana Bafana are among the early favourites, Egypt are seven-time Afcon champions. The head-to-head record heavily favours Bafana, but the world rankings tell another story.
The Pharaohs are ranked 35th in the world, while South Africa occupy 61st place.
It’s a match-up for the football connoisseur.
Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, has been a coach for 37 years. But spending Christmas away from his family is not something he’s used to.
The 73-year-old Belgian spent the day marshalling his troops ahead of their crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group B match against Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, on Friday.
“But at the same time, I am happy to play seven-time African champions Egypt who have good players like Mo Salah. It will not be easy but I am looking forward to this match,” says Broos.
It’s a top-of-the-table clash with the winner guaranteed a place in the Round of 16. And that’s where Broos and the players’ focus is this Festive Season.
They’re champing at the bit to take on seven-time Afcon Champions Egypt, knowing that they have nothing to fear, having beaten the Pharaohs eight times in 14 matches, with two draws.
Bafana Bafana forward Lyle Foster say they look to continue to collect maximum points.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qViys54P6Aw
Egypt will have a slight advantage after playing their opening match of the tournament in Agadir.
They scored a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe.
Bafana had to travel by bus from Marrakesh to Agadir on Wednesday.
Broos says travelling between the two cities will not be an excuse.
“That is part of the tournament. I am not complaining. The players have to be professional about it. We will not have an excuse after travelling here by bus. This was just a two-hour trip. It is not that bad. The same in our last game against Zimbabwe will be the case. The only unfortunate part is all the logistics involved. But I will not use that as an excuse,” he adds.
South Africa’s only win against Egypt in an Afcon tournament was in 2019, and still lingers in the minds of many Egyptian soccer fans.
Thembinkosi Lorch came off the bench to silence the partisan local crowd at the Cairo International Stadium.
Although Bafana Bafana dominate the head-to-head record against Egypt, the Pharoahs have won the more important encounters.
In three previous Afcon meetings, Egypt won two and South Africa one.
The Pharaohs beat Bafana in their opening group match in 1996, and also in the 1998 final in Bukina Faso.
But they start with a clean slate in Agadir on Friday.
Afcon Fixtures | 26 December 2025:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtOsR-Evlo4
