Sisi Invites Martyrs’ Families to Attend Egypt-S. Africa Clash

H-Tayea

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El Sisi extended invitations to families of the martyrs to attend today’s match between Egypt and South Africa in the last-16 round of the Africa Cup of Nations Championship.

The game will be held at the Cairo Stadium at 9:00 pm CLT.

Egypt advanced as Group A winners with nine points following wins over Zimbabwe, DR Congo and Uganda, while South Africa qualified for the for the last 16, coming out of Group D as one of the best four third-placed holders, collecting three points.

Head to head

The Pharaohs last clash with the Bafana Bafana was in the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers, with South Africa defeating them 1-0 at home before holding them to a 0-0 draw in Egypt.

The hosts played against South Africa on only two occasions in this showpiece tournament. The seven-time title managed to pull off the victory in both confrontations.

The most historic encounter between two nations was when Egypt won the 1998 Nations Cup in Burkina Faso after beating South Africa 2-0 in the final.

It is noteworthy that Egypt’s head coach Javier Aguirre said on Friday that Pharaohs’ game against South Africa in the Africa Cup of nations would be very difficult.

“Bafana Bafana’s clash will be very difficult. It will not be an easy game, especially, when you play against an organized team like South Africa,” the Mexican coach said in a pre-match press conference.

The winner of Egypt vs S. Africa game will face whoever emerges top in the other Round of 16 tie between Nigeria and Cameroon in the quarter-final.