Overview
- SAFA confirmed that Bafana Bafana will play an international friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on October 4 with a 20:00 South Africa time kickoff.
- The national team will open 2027 AFCON qualifying at home against Guinea on September 26 and then travel to face Eritrea on September 30 before the Egypt match.
- Pitso Mosimane released a 35‑player preliminary squad that includes six uncapped players, among them Yanela Mbuthuma, and names only one Kaizer Chiefs player.
- SAFA has identified two possible venues for the Guinea home game — Orlando Amstel Arena or Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace — and will confirm the site after the final squad is announced.
- Mosimane’s prior two‑year spell at Al Ahly and South Africa’s December 2025 0‑1 loss to Egypt set a sharp sporting context for the Cairo friendly and place pressure on fast squad integration and selection debates.