Bongani Zungu of South Africa at a press conference during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt vs South Africa: Prediction, head-to-head, scores and TV stream
Mohamed Salah’s Egypt lie in wait for South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in the last 16 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Here’s what you need to know.
Bongani Zungu of South Africa at a press conference during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
South Africa’s coach Stuart Baxter has turned on the mind games ahead of his side’s last 16 clash against the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations hosts, Egypt.
Baxter told the media on Friday that it would be a “national disaster” if the Pharaohs lost. A cheeky quip from a coach who surely faces the chop – almost regardless of what the team manages to achieve at the continental showpiece.
Bafana Bafana are very much up against it.
Unlike the showdown between Cameroon and Nigeria, this match appears easy to call with record seven-time champions Egypt overwhelming favourites to defeat poorly performing South Africa.
While the Pharaohs won all three group games without conceding a goal, Bafana Bafana (The Boys) sneaked into the last 16 as the lowest of the best four third-place qualifiers.
Prolific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan have been constant threats in attack for Egypt while Aston Villa right-back Ahmed Elmohamady netted twice.
In stark contrast, South Africa did not have a single goal attempt on target in losses against the Ivory Coast and Morocco.
But South Africa coach Stuart Baxter sees a glimmer of hope, telling reporters: “If we can improve our attacking game by 10 to 15 percent, we will give Egypt problems.”
Bafana Bafana will be without midfielder Themba Zwane, who serves a suspension after two yellow cards in the group games.
Prediction, head-to-head and TV stream
Prediction
Egypt are quite rightly heavy favourites, going into the last 16 with a 63% win probability. South Africa are judged to have a 12% chance with the draw over 90 minutes at 25%.
Head-to-head
Would you believe that history favours South Africa here, with six wins and a draw in the 11 meetings between the pair – Egypt sealing three points on the other four occasions.
What time and where to watch
Kick off is at 21:00 SAST.
In Africa, SuperSport 4 will broadcast the Round of 16 fixtures.
Elsewhere: Eurosport Player (UK) and beIN Sports Connect (U.S.).
Live scores
