FourFourTwoSA writer DYLAN APPOLIS looks at head-to-head statistics as Bafana Bafana take on hosts Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 encounter at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday.
South Africa were on the brink of a group-stage exit following the 1-0 defeat by Morocco in their final Group D clash, but managed to progress to the knockout round of the tournament after finishing as the fourth-best third-placed team.
Stuart Baxter’s men will now take on the Pharos for a chance to book their place in the quarter-final of the continental tournament.
Predictions:
The Pharos are expected to secure a comfortable win over South Africa at the Cairo International Stadium in the round of 16 following their 100% record in the group stages of the competition, with the team yet to concede a goal.
Egypt Form and Team News:
Egypt will head into their last 16 coming off the back of a 2-0 victory over Uganda in their final Group A encounter through goals from Mohamed Salah and Ahmed El Mohamady. With the result the Pharaohs finished as group winners with a maximum of nine points from three games played, scoring five goals and conceding none.
The Pharaohs have been one of the standout teams in the competition spearheaded by star player Mohamed Salah, who has already bagged two goals during the group stages. He will be partnered in attack with Trezeguet, who has been equally impressive, while Egypt are likely to see the return of Marwan Mohsen to the starting lineup having come on as a second-half substitution against Uganda.
South Africa Form and Team News:
Bafana Bafana were defeated 1-0 in their final Group D clash with Morocco at the Al Salam Stadium on Monday and finished third in Group D behind Morocco and Ivory Coast. South Africa still managed to advance to the knockout stages despite suffering two defeats and bagging one win in the group stages after finishing as one of the best third-placed teams at the competition.
Baxter’s men have not been impressive during the competitions and only managed to find the back of the net once in three games with the likes of Lebo Mothiba and Percy Tau leading the line, although both struggled to find their feet in Egypt.
Egypt vs South Africa head to head:
Both nations have faced each other once before in the Afcon with the Egyptians coming out victorious after claiming a 2-0 victory to win the trophy in Burkina Faso back in 1998.