Egypt Includes Salah For AFCON In Bafana Group

Egypt national team coach Hossam Hassan has announced his squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, with talisman Mohamed Salah included.

Bafana Bafana have been drawn in Group B alongside Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe for the AFCON tournament, which will be held in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January.

Hugo Broos’ men will face Egypt—record winners of the AFCON, last lifting the title in 2010 against Ghana—on 26 December at Stade Adrar in Agadir.

Before that clash, Bafana, who claimed the bronze medal at last year’s edition in Ivory Coast, will kick off their campaign against Angola on 22 December at Stade de Marrakech.

They will conclude the group stage against Zimbabwe on 29 December, also in Marrakech.

The last time Bafana Bafana met Egypt at the AFCON was in the 2019 edition, when Thembinkosi Lorch scored a late winner with five minutes remaining in the round of 16.

Salah was part of that Egyptian side, while Bafana captain Ronwen Williams is the only current squad member who featured in that match and will again take part in this year’s tournament in Morocco.

Egypt also denied Bafana the chance to defend their AFCON title in 1998, when the Pharaohs—led by Hassan, who was in top form that year—beat South Africa 2-0 in the final at Stade du 4 Août in Burkina Faso.

Hassan, capped 176 times and scorer of 68 goals, assisted the second goal, scored by Tarek Mostafa in the 13th minute. Ahmed Hassan had opened the scoring in the third minute for Egypt.

However, it was Hassan’s effort that led Egypt to the final as he scored twice as Egypt defeated Burkina Faso in the semi-finals.

Hassan and Benni McCarthy finished as joint top scorers at that tournament, each netting seven goals.