Egypt and South Africa will meet in a friendly on Sunday, 4 October 2026, with both sides expected to make changes because of a number of absences.
The match could provide an opportunity for several players to gain international experience, as the two coaches assess alternative options before naming their starting line-ups.
Egypt
Egypt will be without captain Mohamed Salah, who has left the squad. Mohamed Abdelmonem is also unavailable, while Ahmed Fatouh, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Yasser Ibrahim and Mohamed El Shenawy are all injured.
Karim Hafez is expected to fill the left-back position in Salah’s absence. Egypt’s likely formation includes Shobeir in goal, with Hany, Abdelmaguid, Rabia and Hafez forming the defence.
Attia, Lasheen and Ashour are expected to operate in midfield, alongside Zico and Hassan. Omar Marmoush is the probable centre-forward.
Egypt’s probable XI:
Goalkeeper: Shobeir
Defenders: Hany, Abdelmaguid, Rabia, Hafez
Midfielders: Attia, Lasheen, Ashour, Zico, Hassan
Striker: Marmoush
The changes will give Egypt the chance to assess their squad depth in a match where several regular starters are unavailable.
South Africa
South Africa will also be missing key players. Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas are injured, while Aubrey Modiba remains doubtful.
Coach Pitso Mosimane has announced that he will select a largely changed side. Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, Fawaaz Basadien, Shandre Campbell, Tashreeq Matthews and Cassius Mailula are among the players being considered for prominent roles.
Chaine is expected to start in goal, with Ndamane, Sibisi, Seema and Basadien making up the back four.
Sithole and Poggenpoel are likely to play in central midfield, while Matthews, Zwane and Dithejane could operate further forward. Mailula is the probable lone striker.
South Africa’s probable XI:
Goalkeeper: Chaine
Defenders: Ndamane, Sibisi, Seema, Basadien
Midfielders: Sithole, Poggenpoel, Matthews, Zwane, Dithejane
Striker: Mailula
The friendly will therefore feature two teams adapting to missing players while giving several alternatives the opportunity to stake a claim.
