Egypt are preparing for a challenging international friendly against South Africa on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Cairo International Stadium, as head coach Hossam Hassan looks to secure a positive result and test different tactical options ahead of the team's return to competitive action.

The match comes at an important moment for the Pharaohs following mixed results and discussions surrounding the national team's squad selections and the handling of several senior players, particularly Mohamed Salah and Mohamed El Shenawy.

Egypt began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Angola before responding with an impressive 5-0 victory over South Sudan.

That result took Egypt to four points and put them at the top of Group B, which also includes Malawi, Angola and South Sudan.

Hassan will be hoping to build on the confidence gained from that convincing victory.

The friendly provides an opportunity to test different players and formations without the pressure of qualifying points.

It also gives the coaching staff a chance to improve the team's consistency before their upcoming competitive fixtures.

Predicted Lineup

According to the latest reports, Mostafa Shobeir is among the leading candidates to start in goal, with Mohamed Hany expected at right-back, Rami Rabia and Hossam Abdelmaguid in central defence, and Karim Hafez on the left.

In midfield, Marwan Attia, Mohanad Lasheen and Emam Ashour could form a three-man unit, offering a balance between defensive cover and attacking support.

Further forward, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Ziko are being considered as the attacking trio.

Their movement, pace and ability to create chances could provide Egypt with different attacking options against South Africa.

Egypt's predicted starting lineup under this approach is:

Goalkeeper: Mostafa Shobeir.

Defenders: Mohamed Hany, Rami Rabia, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Karim Hafez.

Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Mohanad Lasheen, Emam Ashour.

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Forwards: Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Omar Marmoush, Mostafa Ziko.

However, the starting lineup has not yet been officially confirmed, and other reports suggest that El Mahdy Soliman could start in goal instead of Shobeir.

Mahmoud Saber, Ibrahim Adel and Osama Faisal have also been mentioned as possible starters, depending on Hassan's tactical plans.

The Egyptian coach could choose a formation featuring three midfielders and three forwards or add another midfielder to improve possession and control.

Egypt will be without Mohamed Salah, who left the national team camp before the South Sudan match.

Hassan previously explained that resting Salah had been agreed in advance because of concerns about playing on an artificial pitch.

Mohamed Abdelmonem and Ahmed Fattouh are also among the notable absentees, creating opportunities for other squad members to compete for starting positions.

These changes could help the coaching staff evaluate the available alternatives, especially in positions where Egypt need more competition and greater squad depth.

Match Details

Egypt will face South Africa on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Cairo International Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 9:00 PM Cairo time.

The international friendly will be broadcast live on ON Sport.

The fixture is important for Hassan's preparations, as Egypt aim not only to win but also to assess how effectively the players can follow the coaching staff's tactical instructions against strong African opposition.

Omar Marmoush enters the match with renewed confidence after scoring twice against South Sudan, while his fellow attackers will be hoping to make the most of their opportunities.

The friendly is also particularly valuable for players who have received limited minutes in recent matches.

Hassan will be looking to identify his strongest combinations and improve the team's overall balance before the next round of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The main question heading into the match is whether Egypt's expected changes can produce a convincing performance, extend the team's positive momentum and give both the players and supporters greater confidence for the challenges ahead.