Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has sent a message to Egyptian fans and his former Al Ahly faithful as he returns to the Land of the Pharaohs, four years after leaving the Cairo giants.
Mosimane achieved immense success during his two-year tenure as coach of Al Ahly from 2020 to 2022, winning two CAF Champions League titles and a domestic league title.
The 62-year-old now returns to Cairo with Bafana Bafana ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] qualifier against Eritrea at the Al-Salam Stadium in Al Salam City – Cairo on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
South Africa will also face Egypt in an international friendly match at Cairo International Stadium on 4 October 2026.
WHY PITSO MOSIMANE IS PLEADING FOR SUPPORT FROM EGYPTIANS
Speaking following South Africa’s first training session on Monday in Cairo, Mosimane described the Egyptians as brothers and pleaded with them to rally behind them.
“The Egyptian nation has acknowledged Bafana Bafana from history. Bafana Bafana has a good history in Egypt,” Mosimane told SAFA media.
‘WE ARE BROTHERS’ — PITSO MOSIMANE CALLS ON AL AHLY FAITHFUL AS BAFANA BAFANA LAND IN CAIRO
Mosimane jokingly said the Egyptians need to forget about the friendly match on Sunday and rally behind South Africa for now.
“They know the players; they also saw them in the [2026 FIFA] World Cup. We are saying to the Egyptians, ‘we are brothers’. We might be fighting again in a few days to come [during the international friendly match]. But now that we are here and have a very good history, even the head coach is here.
“[Teboho] Mokoena is here; I was here. We have a very good foundation with the Egyptian federation, and we hope that the Egyptian supporters come to our match and support us. I am saying the Red Devils [Al Ahly] must come to the match and support us, support me against Eritrea,” he added.
Meanwhile, South Africa come into the clash against Eritrea sitting at the summit of n of Group D of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers following the 2-1 win against Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.
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