Egypt vs South Africa: 7 Players to watch as Bafana tackle the Pharaohs

Bafana Bafana will get their biggest test at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday when they take on Egypt in their second group stage match.

Both sides started their campaign with a 2-1 win with South Africa beating Angola before Egypt came from behind to silence Zimbabwe on Monday.

Those matches provided an insight into the players that will be decisive for both sides at the tournament as some of the top names lived up to the billing while others ‘disappeared.’

So, ahead of the highly-billed clash in Agadir, which players could decide the tie?

South Africa

Ronwen Williams

The Bafana Bafana captain is the reason Angola got way with nothing from a game they deserved at least a draw from.

Williams pulled out key saves, especially in the first half, denying Gelson Dala from a close-range header, and twice from Fredy, one of them a key moment of the game when South Africa were leading 1-0.

The goalkeeper will need to be at his absolute best once again against an Egypt side loaded with attacking talent, led by Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi

As expected, the defender was one of the outstanding players on matchday one with his composure in central defence getting Bafana Bafana out of danger and he faces a sterner test against Egypt.

While he coped well with the pace and power of the physical Angolan attackers, Egypt’s clever and dynamic forwards will give him a different kind of problem but he has shown in the past that he can deal with any situation.

He can also be an asset when attacking set-pieces given his big side that will come in handy in winning balls in the air against an Egypt side that does not have many tall players.

Tshepang Moremi

The Orlando Pirates winger’s introduction at halftime brought more bite and urgency into the Bafana attack as he was a constant menace.

Moremi created a number of opportunities for his teammates while he scored a good goal, only to see it chopped off by VAR, for an offside on Lyle Foster.

His good display gives coach Hugo Broos a selection headache as he has to decide to either start with him against Egypt or stick with Mohau Nkota in the starting XI.

Lyle Foster

Bafana Bafana’s match winner against Angola showed his quality with a nice curling finish to win it 11 minutes from time.

Before that, his decision to get out of the way to allow Oswin Appollis time and space to shoot for the first goal was also a key moment, while his movement in and around the box will give the Egyptian defenders something to think about.

Egypt

Omar Marmoush

The Manchester City forward was a constant threat for Egypt against Zimbabwe and will give Bafana Bafana defenders problems.

Marmoush can operate as a main striker, on the wings and also drops into the ’10 role’, to create space for his attacking teammates. How South Africa cope with him will be key as he needs just a little opportunity to score as witnessed on Monday night.

Mohamed El Shenawy

The Egypt goalkeeper was largely untested against Zimbabwe but things will be different against Hugo Broos’ well-oiled attack.

The lanky goalkeeper is hard to beat, especially on aerial balls, but South Africa will have a chance if they get into the box or on the edge of the area and strike low.

Mohamed Salah

Egypt’s talisman, however, remains Mohamed Salah and he proved it with a neatly-taken goal against Zimbabwe on Monday to nick all three points in stoppage time.

Salah thrives when given space to attack but can also be lethal in the box and South Africa defenders will have to ensure he does not get space and time with the ball on his left foot as that is when he can be deadly.