The Egyptian national team is set to face their South African counterpart in a friendly match on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the Cairo International Stadium. This encounter is part of their preparations for upcoming official competitions, following their last meeting eight months ago at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The two teams have a history of 13 previous encounters over 31 years, with South Africa winning 7 matches and scoring 11 goals, while Egypt won 5 matches and scored 9 goals. The two teams have also had one draw.
The first match between Egypt and South Africa took place on November 24, 1995, in a friendly tournament in South Africa, where South Africa won 2-0. The match was refereed by Anthony Mang'wana from Zimbabwe. Egypt's coach at the time was Dutchman Ruud Krol, while South Africa's coach was Clive Barker. The two teams met again on January 24, 1996, in the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, where Egypt won 1-0, with Ahmed "Al-Kas" scoring the winning goal.
The two teams have met in several high-profile matches, including the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations final, where Egypt won 2-0 and claimed their fourth title. The match was refereed by Moroccan referee Said Belqola. In a friendly match on December 16, 1998, South Africa won 2-1, with Benedict McCarthy scoring both goals. Egypt's coach at the time was Mahmoud Al-Gohary, while South Africa's coach was Trott Moloto.
On November 10, 2001, the two teams met in a friendly match, where South Africa won 1-0, with Shaun Bartlett scoring the winning goal. The match was refereed by Egyptian coach Mahmoud Al-Gohary, who faced off against Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz. In a friendly match on November 15, 2003, Egypt won 2-1, with Medo scoring the winning goal just before the end of the match.
The two teams have continued to meet in various competitions, including the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, where South Africa won 2-1 in a friendly match. In a friendly match on November 15, 2006, Egypt won 1-0, with Emad Moteab scoring the winning goal. The match was refereed by English referee Rob Styles.
In recent years, the two teams have met in several high-profile matches, including a 2011 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, where South Africa won 1-0. The match was refereed by Malian referee Koman Coulibaly. On June 5, 2011, the two teams met in another qualifier, where they drew 0-0. The match was refereed by Tunisian referee Slim Jdidi.
The two teams most recently met on December 26, 2025, in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Egypt won 1-0, with Mohamed Salah scoring the winning goal from a penalty. The match was refereed by Burundian referee Pacific Ndabihawenimana. The friendly match on Sunday will provide both teams with an opportunity to prepare for upcoming competitions and assess their strengths and weaknesses.
Key points
- Egypt and South Africa have a long history of encounters, with 13 previous matches over 31 years.
- South Africa has won 7 matches, while Egypt has won 5 matches.
- The two teams most recently met in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Egypt won 1-0.
