By South Africa will renew one of continental football’s most compelling rivalries when Bafana Bafana take on North African giants Egypt in a high-profile international friendly at Cairo International Stadium on 4 October 2026.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed the fixture after receiving confirmation from the Egyptian Football Association. Kick-off in Cairo is scheduled for 20:00 South African time.
The clash capped an intense fixture schedule for newly appointed head coach Pitso Mosimane, who returns to the national team helm to steer South Africa through critical CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers before heading to Cairo.
Mosimane’s second tenure begins in earnest on Saturday, 26 September 2026, with a home AFCON qualifier against Guinea, followed by a midweek trip to face Eritrea on 30 September. The test against Egypt on 4 October rounds off a grueling three-match schedule.
“Matches against Egypt are always tough and we do not expect anything less in this latest installment,” SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan remarked. “I think that coach Pitso’s return to Bafana Bafana will add another twist because they know him very well in the North African country. This will be another great test for both teams.”
Mosimane’s standing in Egyptian football adds an intriguing subtext to the contest. The tactician remains a highly celebrated figure in Cairo following a trophy-laden stint with club giants Al Ahly, where he guided the Red Devils to back-to-back CAF Champions League titles.
Speaking on the upcoming fixture, Mosimane highlighted the camaraderie between the two nations: “The match between Bafana Bafana and Egypt will be brotherhood. We are looking forward to once again seeing our brothers and sisters; we cannot wait for this match.” Egyptian Football Association President Hany Abo Rida echoed these sentiments, noting the match serves to resume a long-standing partnership.
Despite the amicable statements, competitive tension will inevitably run high when the two sides cross paths. News of the scheduled match sparked widespread interest across North Africa, reigniting memories of their contentious last encounter.
The two nations last squared off in December 2025 during a dramatic, incident-packed AFCON Group B clash in Morocco, where Egypt edged out a 1–0 victory despite finishing the match with 10 men. That fixture was defined by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention and refereeing controversy.
Match official Pacifique Ndabihawenimana awarded Egypt a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time after a retrospective VAR review for a prior incident, which talisman Mohamed Salah coolly converted in the 45th minute. Moments later, Egypt’s Mohamed Hany was sent off for a second yellow card following a tackle on Teboho Mokoena. Bafana Bafana were later denied a late route back into the match when a VAR review for a handball against defender Yasser Ibrahim inside the box ultimately yielded no penalty.
With score-lines to settle and strategic adjustments under way under Mosimane’s tactical leadership, the Cairo showcase promises to be a stern assessment for South Africa. Mosimane is set to announce his preliminary Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers and the Egyptian trip before the end of the week.
