Bafana Bafana completed a perfect international camp with a 1-0 victory over Egypt in a friendly international in Cairo on Sunday. The team, led by coach Pitso Mosimane, ended the camp with three wins from three matches, having previously defeated Guinea and Eritrea in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. The win was witnessed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was among the dignitaries in attendance at the Cairo International Stadium.
Puso Dithejane scored the decisive goal on his Bafana debut, opening his senior international account in the process. The 22-year-old Chicago Fire winger showed persistence and composure to steal the ball off a scramble between defender and goalkeeper before slotting into an empty net in the 51st minute. This goal proved to be the difference between the two teams, with Egypt failing to find a way back into the match.
The victory was a perfect return for Mosimane's side from their September-October international window. The team's previous match against Eritrea ended in a 5-0 demolition, with Relebohile Mofokeng scoring twice and Oswin Appollis providing three assists. However, Mosimane made wholesale changes for the Egypt match, giving several players the chance to stake their claim against one of Africa's heavyweight nations.
President Cyril Ramaphosa had earlier visited the Bafana camp, where he was welcomed by SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan and Mosimane before being introduced to the players. He later made his way to the Cairo International Stadium, joining other heads of state and dignitaries to watch the friendly. Ramaphosa's presence was a boost to the team, who were eager to impress in front of their president.
The Egypt match gave Mosimane the opportunity to rotate his squad and give several players a chance to play. Despite the changes, South Africa remained organised and competitive against the Egyptians, with Dithejane's goal ultimately proving to be the deciding factor. The team's defensive solidity was impressive, with Egypt failing to create clear-cut chances throughout the match.
For Dithejane, the goal was a dream introduction to international football. The young midfielder was handed his first Bafana cap and responded by scoring the goal that secured victory over Egypt. This performance will provide Mosimane with another positive selection headache, with several players given opportunities during the friendly after others had impressed in the AFCON qualifiers.
Bafana now leave Cairo with three victories, eight goals scored and just one conceded across the camp — a perfect return as Mosimane continues to shape his squad. The team's performance will give them confidence ahead of their future matches, and Mosimane will be eager to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next challenges.
Key points
- Bafana Bafana completed a perfect international camp with three wins from three matches.
- Puso Dithejane scored the decisive goal on his Bafana debut against Egypt.
- The team's victory was witnessed by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Cairo International Stadium.
