Egypt vs South Africa: Match preview, team news, line-ups, prediction

Egypt face South Africa in one of the most intriguing match-ups on matchday two of the Africa Cup of Nations at Stade Adrar on Friday afternoon.

The Pharaohs dug deep to beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in their opening fixture, while South Africa also beat Angola by the same scoreline.

Match preview

Egypt delivered a dominant display against Zimbabwe on Monday, although result suggests otherwise.

The record champions registered 35 shots and created eight chances in the fixture — both the highest by any team at AFCON since 2010.

Star forwards Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Salah were on the scoresheet, with the former being named the man-of-the-match.

South Africa, on the other hand, were arguably lucky to edge past Angola, with the latter creating better chances.

Burnley striker Lyle Foster was their match-winner, becoming the first Premier League player to score for South Africa at AFCON since Leeds United’s Phil Masinga against Cameroon in 1996.

This is the 13th meeting between the Bafana Bafana and the Pharaohs, with the former boasting a superior head-to-head record (seven wins, four losses and one draw).

Victory for either side here will guarantee a place in the round of 16 and could determine who top Group B.

Team news

Egypt’s Mostafa Mohamed and Mohamed Hamdi picked up bruises against Zimbabwe, but have yet to be ruled out of this clash.

South Africa, meanwhile, have no injury concerns as of yet.

Predicted line-ups

Egypt (4-2-3-1): Mohamed El Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Yasser Ibrahim, Ahmed Fotouh, Marwan Attia, Hamdi Fathi, Mohamed Salah, Emam Ashour, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Omar Marmoush

South Africa (4-4-2): Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Mohau Nkota, Teboho Mokoena, Yaya Sithole, Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster, Sipho Mbule.

Prediction

This promises to be a keenly contested clash, but we predict a 2-1 victory for Egypt.

Stats from transfermarkt.com