All eyes will be on Stade Adrar when two former Africa Cup of Nations champions battle for three valuable points on Friday, 26 December 2025.
View our free Egypt vs South Africa predictions below.
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Egypt vs South Africa predictions: Goals at both ends
Key stats
- Both teams found the net in five of Egypt's last six matches across all competitions.
- Five of South Africa’s last seven games went above the 2.5-goal threshold.
- Egypt have seen their defence breached in seven consecutive matches.
Correct score prediction: Egypt 1-2 South Africa
Although Egypt have been the most successful team in the history of the AFCON, they have a poor track record against South Africa, having failed to beat Bafana Bafana in over 19 years.
In fact, South Africa have not lost a competitive clash against Egypt since AFCON 1998. They eliminated the Pharaohs from this competition in 2019 and prevented them from qualifying for the Nations Cup in 2012.
Moreover, Bafana Bafana are on a three-game winning streak and a 10-match unbeaten run across all competitions. They should be able to secure a close victory, despite being the underdogs.
Pre-game odds and win probability: South Africa up against it
- HOME: 20/21 (1.95) – 51.2%
- DRAW: 2/1 (3.00) – 33.3%
- AWAY: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
South Africa kicked off their 2025 AFCON campaign with a 2-1 victory over Angola. Bafana Bafana were bronze medallists in the previous edition of this competition and will set their sights on their first title since 1996.
On the other hand, Egypt came from behind to beat Zimbabwe in their AFCON opener, thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Mohamed Salah. Although the Pharaohs are seven-time champions, they have not won this competition since 2010.
Ahead of this clash, Egypt are the expected winners at 20/21 (1.95). Teams with these odds generally have a 51.2% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Egypt vs South Africa predictions.
Also, we have established that Egypt have no clean sheets in seven consecutive matches. Keeping in mind that Bafana Bafana scored eight goals in their last three matches alone, over 0.5 South Africa goals has an appealing look at 17/20 (1.85). That one has a 54.1% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: Bafana Bafana’s dominance to continue?
South Africa are unbeaten in their last six clashes with Egypt (CHAN included) and have not lost to the Pharaohs since the Nelson Mandela Challenge in November 2006. However, Egypt narrowly lead the H2H 2-1 in this competition, although their wins came in 1996 and 1998.
Africa Cup of Nations 06/07/19
Egypt
South Africa
International Match 06/09/16
South Africa
Egypt
Egypt preview: Looking to secure a Round of 16 spot
Left-back Mohamed Hamdi was taken off in the 82nd minute of the hard-fought encounter against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, meaning that the 30-year-old CAF Champions League winner with Pyramids needs to be assessed to confirm his availability for this game. At the time of writing, he's touch and go for this big game against Bafana Bafana.
Premier League duo Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Salah were on the scoresheet during the Pharaohs’ opening victory last time out and are again set to feature here.
Predicted lineup: Al-Shenawy (GK), Hany, Ibrahim, Abdelmaguid, Hamdi, Attia, Fathy, Salah, Ashour, Trezeguet & Marmoush.
Last five matches
- Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe
- Egypt 2-1 Nigeria
- Egypt 0-3 Jordan
- UAE 1-1 Egypt
- Egypt 1-1 Kuwait
South Africa preview: Eyeing their fourth consecutive victory
Hugo Broos’ side will enter this key Group B clash with Egypt in good health, as they aim to produce another top AFCON performance on Friday evening.
Expected to lead the line for the second time running, Burnley star Lyle Foster, who was absent from the Bafana Bafana squad during the last edition in Ivory Coast due to injury, made all the difference in their clash against Angola as he set up his teammate and eventually bagged the winning goal in that keenly contested affair.
Predicted lineup: Williams (GK), Modiba, Mbokazi, Ngezena, Mudau, Mokoena, Sithole, Appollis, Mbule, Nkota & Foster.
Last five matches
- South Africa 2-1 Angola
- South Africa 3-1 Zambia
- South Africa 3-0 Rwanda
- Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
- South Africa 1-1 Nigeria
Player to watch: Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah scored the winner in Egypt's opening game a few days ago, taking his tally of goal contributions in this competition to 12. The 33-year-old will fancy his chances against Bafana Bafana on Friday evening.