Bafana Bafana to face Egypt in Cairo friendly under Pitso Mosimane

Bafana Bafana will face Egypt in Cairo on 4 October 2026, with the fixture providing Pitso Mosimane with an early major test after his appointment as South Africa’s national team coach.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has confirmed that the international friendly will be played at the Cairo International Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 20h00 South Africa time.

The match will form part of a demanding opening period for Mosimane, who is beginning his second spell in charge of Bafana Bafana. The experienced coach will take responsibility for the team’s first competitive fixtures of his return before facing one of Africa’s most established football nations.

SAFA confirmed the Egypt fixture in a statement released on Thursday.

“Bafana Bafana will face Egypt in an international friendly match to be played at Cairo International Stadium next month,” SAFA stated.

“The Egyptians have confirmed to the South African Football Association (SAFA) that the match will be played on 4 October 2026 and kickoff is at 20h00 South Africa time.

“Newly appointed coach Pitso Mosimane will take his place on the bench for the first time when Bafana Bafana open their CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 account against Guinea in a home qualifier on Saturday, 26 September 2026.

“The South African senior men’s national team will then travel to face Eritrea away on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

“Bafana Bafana will wrap up their assignments on the road with the clash against the North Africans on 4 October 2026.”

Mosimane’s return to the national team will officially begin later this month. His first match of the second stint will come against Guinea in a home qualifier for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 on Saturday, 26 September 2026.

Bafana Bafana will then leave South Africa for an away meeting with Eritrea on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. The trip to Cairo will follow, completing the team’s sequence of assignments away from home with the friendly against Egypt four days later.

The Egypt game is therefore scheduled to take place between the opening CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers and will give South Africa a final assignment on the road during that period. It will also mark Mosimane’s first appearance on the touchline for Bafana Bafana in a friendly since beginning his new tenure.

Egypt will host the fixture at the Cairo International Stadium, while the confirmed starting time means the match will kick off at 20h00 in South Africa. The agreement between the Egyptian authorities and SAFA adds an international date to Bafana Bafana’s calendar shortly after the team’s competitive campaign gets under way.

For Mosimane, the schedule begins with Guinea at home, continues against Eritrea away and concludes with the North African giants in Cairo.