Bafana Bafana renew Egypt rivalry with history and VAR controversy in focus

Bafana Bafana will renew their rivalry with Egypt in an international friendly at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday night (20:00), with Pitso Mosimane’s side aiming to maintain their winning start since his return as coach.

South Africa have won both matches since Mosimane took charge, providing early momentum as he begins his second stint with the national team. Although he has indicated that he will make substantial changes to the line-up to assess his squad depth, Mosimane is aware of the importance of securing a positive result in a country he considers his second home.

The fixture will be the 16th between the two sides. South Africa have won eight of the previous 15 meetings, with two draws and five defeats.

Egypt claimed latest meeting after Salah penalty

The most recent encounter took place on 12 December 2025, when Egypt defeated South Africa 1-0 in the AFCON Group Stage.

Mohamed Salah scored the decisive penalty, but the match was also marked by controversy surrounding two VAR decisions that favoured Egypt. One resulted in a penalty being awarded after Khuliso Mudau was ruled to have fouled his marker. South Africa were also denied a penalty appeal after Egypt handled the ball inside the area.

South Africa had gained revenge in the previous meeting, defeating the hosts 1-0 in the AFCON Round of 16 on 6 July 2019.

The result was one of the major upsets of the 2019 AFCON, as Bafana eliminated Egypt on home soil. Thembinkosi Lorch scored the only goal, prompting celebrations in the South African camp and stunning the hosts. South Africa had reached the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams after narrowly progressing from the group phase.

On 6 September 2016, South Africa again beat Egypt 1-0 in an international friendly. The match formed part of the then-annual Nelson Mandela Challenge, with Mpho Makola’s goal ensuring the trophy remained in South Africa.

That victory came during a difficult period for Bafana, who were struggling to compete consistently with Africa’s leading teams. They subsequently failed to qualify for the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.

Mosimane has mixed memories of Egypt

The two nations drew 0-0 at Cairo’s Military Academy Stadium in an AFCON Qualifier on 5 June 2011. The result was particularly disappointing for Mosimane, who was in his first spell as South Africa coach.

The draw meant Bafana needed victories against Niger or Sierra Leone in their final two qualifying matches to reach the AFCON. They ultimately failed to achieve that objective.

Mosimane’s first official match against Egypt as Bafana coach came on 26 March 2011, when South Africa won 1-0 in another AFCON Qualifier.

Katlego Mphela, one of Mosimane’s trusted forwards, scored the winning goal in the 93rd minute, sparking jubilant celebrations among the home supporters in Johannesburg.