Dig at Bafana Bafana? Egypt coach unfazed by ‘one style’ South Africa

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has stoked up the fire ahead of his team’s meeting with Bafana Bafana in their second 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage match on Friday.

South Africa will renew their rivalry with the North Africans in Agadir on Friday afternoon with both teams coming into the match on the back of 2-1 wins in their opening matches.

Egypt are ranked 26 places above South Africa on the FIFA rankings but Bafana Bafana have a better head-to-head record as they have not lost to the seven-time African champions in their last six meetings, winning four and drawing two over that period.

Hassan counting on past wins over Bafana

Overall, Hugo Broos’s team have won five of their 10 meetings against Egypt, the North Africans managing three while two ended in draws but Hossam is unfazed by such numbers.

“The South African style of play is like the clubs, one style, but we are ready,” Hassan told the media on Thursday.

“We have faced their clubs, represented by Al-Ahly, Zamalek and Pyramids, more than once, and we were superior to South Africa in 1998, and God willing, we will repeat this.

Can South African maintain string run?

“We respect all teams, and South Africa are among the strong sides, but we play to achieve positive results and to collect the three points. Every match is important.”

Hossam was the captain of Egypt when they won AFCON 1998 following a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the final in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso while he shared the Golden Boot award with Benni McCarthy after both netted seven goals.  

However, South Africa got their revenge somewhat in 2019 when they eliminated Egypt from that year’s tournament which the North Africans hosted.