Bafana In Talks For Cairo Friendly Against Egypt After AFCON Qualifier
Sportswire has learned that the South African Football Association (SAFA) is in talks with the Egyptian Football Association to arrange a friendly match early next month.
The proposed fixture is targeted for 4 October at Cairo International Stadium—a venue where South Africa shares a storied history.
A friendly in Cairo makes logical sense for both federations, as Bafana Bafana will already be in Egypt on 27 September for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Eritrea.
Ranked 184th in the world, Eritrea lacks stadium facilities that meet CAF and FIFA standards, prompting them to host their AFCON qualifier in the North African country.
Before that, Bafana Bafana will host Guinea later this month in what will be Pitso Mosimane’s first game in charge. The venue for the match is expected to be revealed by SAFA on Friday.
Mosimane was appointed as Bafana Bafana head coach on Tuesday on a four-year contract running through the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The trip to Egypt will be a significant homecoming for Mosimane. He remains a revered figure in the country, having led Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC to back-to-back CAF Champions League titles in 2020 and 2021 before finishing as runner-up the following season. During his time with Al Ahly, he also won two CAF Super Cups, a Egyptian Premier League title, and the Egyptian Cup.
Playing at Cairo International Stadium will evoke fond memories for South Africa. Bafana Bafana famously knocked hosts Egypt out in the Round of 16 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at the venue, courtesy of a late winner from Thembinkosi Lorch.
The last meeting between the two nations came during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Egypt secured a 1–0 victory via a Mohamed Salah penalty after Khuliso Mudau conceded a foul on the former Liverpool star.
The Pharaohs managed to hold onto the win despite playing a man down after Mohamed Hany—a player Mosimane knows well from his time at Al Ahly—was sent off for a second yellow card just before halftime.
