South Africa’s heavily rotated side beat Egypt 1-0 in Cairo on 4 October, giving Pitso Mosimane valuable evidence of the strength available to him in the Bafana Bafana squad.
A debut goal from Dithejane settled the game after Campbell threaded a superb pass through the Egyptian defence six minutes into the second half.
The result also meant every member of South Africa’s 30-man squad had featured during the September-October international window. The match was the team’s final fixture before the AFCON 2027 qualifiers resume in November.
The South African Football Association had said Mosimane was expected to make “wholesale changes” for the meeting with Egypt. The coach had explained that he wanted every player in the squad to receive game time during the window.
Only Okon and Sithole retained their places in the starting XI from the 5-0 victory over Eritrea on 30 September. Basadien, Matuludi, Sibisi, Dithejane, Matthews and Campbell were all given their first appearances under Mosimane.
Bathusi Aubaas and Teboho Mokoena were unavailable after suffering injuries late last month.
Egypt began the match on the front foot, forcing South Africa to spend long periods defending in their own half. Both teams created opportunities, but South Africa goalkeeper Chaine and Egypt’s Oufa Shobeir prevented either side from breaking the deadlock before half-time.
Campbell changed that soon after the interval, finding Dithejane with a precise ball behind the Egyptian defence. The forward finished the move to score on his international debut and put Bafana Bafana ahead.
Chaine was later replaced by Goss, who produced several important saves to preserve South Africa’s advantage. Egypt threatened to equalise, but the visitors defended their lead through a lengthy period of added time.
With Ronwen Williams remaining on the bench, both Chaine and Goss impressed in goal. Mosimane also did not need to call on Iqraam Rayners, despite continuing questions over South Africa’s attacking options.
Themba Zwane, Samukele Kabini and Nkosinathi Sibisi were among those who stayed on the substitutes’ bench.
The victory provided Mosimane with a clearer view of his squad’s depth and a larger group of players to develop. South Africa’s players will now return to their domestic teams in the PSL and abroad to continue their respective campaigns before the next international assignment.
