The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 Group B is set for a thrilling encounter on Friday as South Africa's Bafana Bafana prepare to face seven-time champions Egypt. The highly anticipated match, scheduled for a 17:00 (SA time) kick-off, will take place at the Grand Stade D’Agadir (also referred to as Stade Adrar) in Agadir, Morocco. Both teams enter this clash with winning momentum, having secured 2-1 victories in their opening fixtures; Bafana Bafana overcame Angola, while the Pharaohs defeated Zimbabwe, placing them in the top two spots of a competitive group.

Bafana Bafana, under the guidance of coach Hugo Broos, were diligently preparing on Christmas Day for this pivotal match. Broos acknowledged Egypt's formidable reputation, stating, "We all know what kind of team Egypt is and they are a very good team. They are seven-time AFCON winners and record holders, so that means something." He also highlighted key Egyptian players like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush but expressed confidence in his squad, emphasizing their eagerness for the game.

Striker Lyle Foster, who was instrumental in the victory against Angola, scoring the winning goal and earning man-of-the-match honours, confirmed the high spirits within the camp. "Merry Christmas to everyone. Yeah, the morale in the camp is good. I think, as the coach said, the first game was very important and for us to get maximum points. I think that helped a lot going into the rest of the tournament. So yeah, the morale in camp is good. It has always been good, the spirit is high, and we are confident and ready for the next game," Foster remarked, underscoring the team's readiness.

The rivalry between South Africa and Egypt spans over three decades, marked by several memorable clashes. Their first official encounter saw Bafana Bafana emerge victorious with a 2-0 scoreline, featuring goals from current assistant coach Helman Mkhalele and Shaun Bartlett. However, Egypt quickly retaliated, handing South Africa a 1-0 defeat in Group A of the 1996 AFCON on home soil, which was Bafana's only loss en route to winning the tournament. Two years later, Egypt denied Bafana a successful title defence by beating them 2-0 in the 1998 AFCON final in Burkina Faso. A significant upset occurred in 2019 when Bafana Bafana, playing in Egypt, knocked out the hosts in the Round of 16 with a late 1-0 strike from Thembinkosi Lorch.

Beyond the AFCON finals, their head-to-head record includes a mixed bag of results. While Egypt boasts a slightly superior AFCON record, Bafana Bafana holds the overall upper hand with seven wins in 12 matches, four losses, and only one draw. Notable non-AFCON encounters include trading wins in 2006 friendlies (South Africa 2-1, Egypt 1-0) and Bafana claiming a 1-0 home win and a goalless away draw in 2011 AFCON qualifiers.

This fixture is crucial for Group B dominance, with three points significantly bolstering either side's chances of reaching the knockout rounds. Bafana Bafana carries an impressive near two-year unbeaten streak in official fixtures, a record only marred by an overturned World Cup qualifier result against Lesotho. This formidable run will face its sternest test against Egypt, who also boast an equally strong record against African opposition, having only been defeated by a continental rival in the previous AFCON via a penalty shootout. Their recent losses have been against non-African teams in friendlies and the Arab Cup.

In terms of team selection, coach Hugo Broos has made strategic adjustments to the Bafana Bafana starting line-up. Mohau Nkota, the Al Ettifaq winger, and Orlando Pirates attacking midfielder Sipho Mbule have been dropped. Their places have been filled by promising talents from Orlando Pirates: Tshepang Moremi, the Premier Soccer League's leading goal-scorer with eight goals this season, takes over on the right flank, while Thalente Mbatha, who has three goals in 10 Bafana Bafana appearances from central midfield, steps into the midfield.

With Mbatha's central midfield role, coach Broos has tweaked the team's formation. Sphephelo Sithole will provide a defensive shield in front of the backline, while Teboho Mokoena and Mbatha will operate as the two '8s,' completing a three-man midfield to control the central areas of the pitch.

The full Bafana Bafana starting line-up for the clash against Egypt is: Goalkeeper: Ronwen William; Right-back: Khuliso Mudau; Right central defender: Siyabonga Ngezana; Left central defender: Mbekezeli Mbokazi; Left-back: Aubrey Modiba; Defensive midfielder: Sphephelo Sithole; Central midfielder: Teboho Mokoena; Central midfielder: Thalente Mbatha; Right-winger: Tshepang Moremi; Left winger: Oswin Appollis; Striker: Lyle Foster.