Okon Relishes Bafana Challenge Against Egypt

Bafana Bafana defender Ime Okon says the squad is excited to test themselves against Egypt when the two African giants meet in Sunday’s international friendly at Cairo International Stadium.

South Africa head into the match with confidence after making a strong start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign under new head coach Pitso Mosimane.

Bafana opened their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Guinea at home last weekend before recording a convincing 5-0 win over Eritrea in Egypt during the week.

With the two qualifiers now completed, Mosimane has indicated that he plans to use Sunday’s friendly to give valuable game time to players who have yet to feature during the current international window.

Okon believes facing a team of Egypt’s stature provides the players with an opportunity to measure themselves against one of Africa’s biggest football nations.

“Egypt is one of the biggest teams in Africa and, as a player, you always want to play the best teams. You always want to challenge yourself,” Okon told www.safa.net.

“So I think the feeling within the team is one of excitement, and we are very, very excited to play against them, test ourselves and also basically show what we are about. I think all the guys are really excited.”

Mosimane confirmed on Friday that several players who have not yet received minutes during the current international window could be given an opportunity against the Pharaohs.

“We are pleading for patience and support for them (the players),” he said.

“They are breaking through, and we need to see what we have in our ranks. Unfortunately, we have a big team (Egypt) that we have to play against on Sunday.

“The challenge is that we have to let them (the players) swim with the sharks, but we’ve got nothing to lose.”

The Bafana coach stressed that Sunday’s match should be viewed differently from the recent qualifiers, with the main objective being to assess the squad and prepare for the future.

“It is a friendly game, and we need to see what they are capable of at this level. So we plead for patience and support for these youngsters,” Mosimane added.

“The country must understand that we have played the qualifiers (against Guinea and Eritrea), and we are done. That is the most important thing.

“It is important to build for the next FIFA World Cup, and if we don’t put them in now, when are we going to see them? We do not have friendly games until the Africa Cup of Nations next year, so this is the only chance they have.”

Among the players yet to get game time during the current international window are goalkeepers Ricardo Goss and Sipho Chaine.

In defence, Fawaz Basadien, Thabang Matuludi and Khulumani Ndamane are yet to feature, while Nkosinathi Sibisi has also not played after Mosimane confirmed that the defender was injured ahead of the Guinea match.

All of the midfielders in the squad have already received minutes, while forwards Cassius Mailula, Puso Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews and Shandre Campbell are also yet to feature.

Sunday’s encounter therefore gives Mosimane an opportunity to assess some of the players who have been waiting for their chance, while also allowing Bafana to test themselves against a strong Egyptian side.