Egypt v South Africa: Salah absence shapes friendly line-up predictions

Egypt and South Africa will meet in a friendly on Sunday, 4 October 2026, with both sides expected to make changes because of injuries and other absences.

Egypt will be without captain Mohamed Salah, who has left the squad. Mohamed Abdelmonem is also unavailable, while Ahmed Fatouh, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Yasser Ibrahim and Mohamed El Shenawy are injured.

Karim Hafez is expected to start at left-back as Egypt prepare to give opportunities to other players during the international meeting.

Egypt’s probable XI

Goalkeeper: Shobeir

Defenders: Hany, Abdelmaguid, Rabia, Hafez

Midfielders: Attia, Lasheen, Ashour, Zico, Hassan

Striker: Marmoush

South Africa are also dealing with fitness concerns ahead of the match. Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas have both been ruled out through injury, while Aubrey Modiba remains doubtful.

Coach Pitso Mosimane has announced that he intends to select a largely changed side. Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, Fawaaz Basadien, Shandre Campbell, Tashreeq Matthews and Cassius Mailula are among those expected to feature.

South Africa’s probable XI

Goalkeeper: Chaine

Defenders: Ndamane, Sibisi, Seema, Basadien

Midfielders: Sithole, Poggenpoel, Matthews, Zwane, Dithejane

Striker: Mailula

The fixture will provide both teams with an opportunity to assess alternative options, with the expected absences likely to lead to several adjustments from their usual starting line-ups.