AFCON 2025: former Egypt coach makes a surprising statement regarding Bafana Bafana's journey! | OneFootball

A former coach of the Egyptian national team has a lot to say.

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Former Egypt national team manager Hossam El Badry has shared his insights on South Africa’s chances in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place in Morocco.

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana find themselves in a competitive Group B alongside record seven-time champions Egypt, as well as regional opponents Angola and Zimbabwe. With Egypt aiming to end a 15-year title drought and South Africa seeking their first trophy since 1996, the group promises high stakes from the outset.

Bafana will open their campaign against Angola in Marrakech on Monday, before a highly anticipated clash with Egypt on Boxing Day. Their final group stage match will be against Zimbabwe on December 29. Head coach Hugo Broos has already marked the encounters with Angola and Zimbabwe as must-win fixtures, while acknowledging Egypt as a formidable threat that could spring a surprise.

In an exclusive conversation with FARPost, El Badry provided his analysis of the group’s dynamics. “Naturally, this is not an easy group,” he remarked. “I anticipate Egypt and South Africa advancing to the knockout stages.”

He went on to praise the South African squad, noting, “South Africa has some excellent young players—talented and promising. Honestly, the match between Egypt and South Africa is difficult to predict. Both have a good chance; it could end in a draw, or either side could win. Much will depend on the team’s motivation on the day, which shapes their performance. Sometimes, just one mistake can decide the game.”

Explaining his prediction for the qualifiers, El Badry added, “I say Egypt and South Africa will progress because Angola are not as strong as they were four or five years ago. You see, players like Mabululu are aging. As for Zimbabwe, it’s harder to comment.”

The former Al Ahly coach, who led the Egyptian giants to a CAF Champions League title in 2012 and multiple domestic league triumphs, even suggested that both nations could make a deep run in the tournament. “Both Egypt and South Africa have the potential to reach the final,” he stated, “though it’s too early to say who might lift the trophy.”

When asked about Egypt’s talisman Mohamed Salah—who arrives at AFCON amid a dip in form and off-field issues at Liverpool—El Badry dismissed concerns. “I don’t believe that will negatively impact him or the Egyptian team,” he affirmed.

El Badry also expressed particular admiration for South African talent, revealing his ongoing search for players from the region. “South Africa will perform well at AFCON, and I have great confidence in their players,” he said. “Currently, I am coaching in Libya and actively scouting in South Africa. I am looking for a goal-scoring striker and midfielders—specifically a number six, a number eight, and a number seven. Those are positions where I truly trust players from South Africa. I’ve been following them closely.”