Egypt vs South Africa. H2H, lineups and match prediction — December 26, 2025
On Friday, December 26, in the second round of the Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt will face off against South Africa. Read on for a closer look at both teams and a detailed match prediction.
See also: Angola vs Zimbabwe prediction and betting tips 26 December 2025
Match preview
Egypt heads into their second group stage fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations riding the momentum of a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe, where the Pharaohs staged a late comeback with a stoppage-time winner. Egypt showcased their dominance through ball possession and relentless control, finishing the match with over 75% possession and a high pass count, underlining their intent to dictate the pace throughout the tournament.
South Africa, meanwhile, entered the Cup in confident fashion: Bafana Bafana claimed a 2-1 win over Angola in their group opener, displaying attacking assurance and strong organization off the ball. The South Africans demonstrated tactical flexibility, operating compact yet aggressive in midfield, with swift wing play and control in key areas opening up opportunities for dangerous attacks.
Tactically, this promises to be a fascinating battle: Egypt’s control-oriented approach will see them seek to dominate possession, stretch play down the flanks, and look for incisive vertical passes to break down South Africa’s compact defense. However, this emphasis on possession can expose risks in transition, as Egyptian players often push high up the pitch, leaving space behind. South Africa is likely to respond with a balanced setup: a solid mid-block, opportunistic interceptions, and rapid forward transitions — a dangerous combination against teams that hold the ball for too long.
Probable lineups
Egypt: El Shenawy; Hany, Rabia, Ibrahim, Hamdi; Fathy, Ateya, Zizo; Salah, Mohamed, Trezeguet
South Africa: Williams; Mudau, Ndamane, Sibisi, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole, Mbatha; Appollis; Nkota, Foster
Head-to-head and match facts
- In the last five meetings, South Africa has three wins and two draws
- Egypt has conceded in seven consecutive matches
- South Africa is on a four-match winning streak
Prediction
Despite the bookmakers’ doubts, I believe both teams have what it takes to entertain the fans with plenty of goals. Egypt has been conceding a lot lately but remains sharp in attack. South Africa is also strong going forward. My prediction: both teams to score – YES at 2.2
