Egypt and South Africa have commenced their Group B campaigns at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 with identical 2-1 victories over Zimbabwe and Angola, respectively. The two teams are set to face each other on December 26 at the Grande Stade d’Agadir, with the match scheduled to kick off at 16h00 local time (15h00 GMT).

This upcoming encounter will mark the fourth meeting between the two sides at the AFCON finals, following previous clashes in 1996, 1998, and 2019. Egypt currently holds the edge in their head-to-head AFCON meetings, with two wins to South Africa’s one.

Their most recent AFCON meeting in 2019 saw South Africa pull off a significant upset, eliminating hosts Egypt in the Round of 16 with a 1-0 win in Cairo. The decisive goal was scored by Thembinkosi Lorch in the 85th minute, securing a memorable victory for Bafana Bafana.

Notably, Egypt’s current coach, Hossam Hassan, was a player in the 1998 final when Egypt defeated South Africa 2-0 in Burkina Faso. On the other hand, South Africa’s coach, Hugo Broos, has a notable AFCON success under his belt, having led Cameroon to the title in 2017 with a 2-1 win over Egypt in the final in Libreville.

As the two teams prepare to meet again, their past encounters serve as a reminder of the competitive history between them. With both sides aiming to make a strong impression in the tournament, the upcoming match is expected to be closely contested. The outcome will not only reflect on their current campaign but also contribute to the evolving narrative of their AFCON rivalry. The match on December 26 will undoubtedly be a significant event in the Group B standings, with implications for the teams’ progression in the tournament.