Egypt vs. South Africa in Cairo on October 4: A First Major Test for Pitso Mosimane

Egypt and South Africa will face off in a friendly match on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the Cairo International Stadium at 8:00 PM (South African time), a clash between two of the most decorated national teams on the continent. The match was confirmed by the South African Football Association (SAFA) on September 3, 2026, following an agreement with the Egyptian federation.

Pitso Mosimane's First Window

For South Africa, this trip to Cairo concludes Pitso Mosimane's first series of matches at the helm of the Bafana Bafana. The former coach, who won the African Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly, has already secured two victories in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers: 2-1 against Guinea on September 26, 2026, followed by a resounding 5-0 win over Eritrea on September 30, featuring a brace from Relebohile Mofokeng, according to Briefly. Facing Hossam Hassan's Pharaohs, the test takes on a new dimension.

Mohamed Salah Absent Again

On the Egyptian side, the match loses its biggest name: Mohamed Salah will not play. According to Briefly, the captain was rested by mutual agreement with the coaching staff to preserve him before his return to club duties. The media outlet also mentions speculation regarding tensions with the technical staff, though nothing has been confirmed.

This is not a first: Salah had already missed the 2027 AFCON qualifier against South Sudan. These repeated absences are sparking debate in Egypt, where former international player Gamal Abdel Hamid criticized Hossam Hassan's management of the player, stating that "Mohamed Salah is a global icon and deserves special treatment," reports Briefly. Omar Marmoush remains one of the Pharaohs' main offensive options.

A Rivalry That Spans African Football History

The two nations last met in December 2025 during the Africa Cup of Nations, with a 1-0 Egyptian victory, according to SAFA. The president of the South African federation, Danny Jordaan, warned that matches against Egypt are "always difficult." His Egyptian counterpart, Hany Abo Rida, presented the encounter as a sign of brotherhood between the two countries and a renewal of long-standing relations.

Beyond the result, this meeting speaks to the renewed weight of African football: two teams that hold twelve Africa Cup of Nations titles between them, a Cairo stadium that remains one of the continent's great theaters, and teams fine-tuning their squads at home rather than on the sidelines of European tours. The match will be broadcast by SABC Sport in South Africa.