{"id":42451,"date":"2026-10-05T10:11:46","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T08:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=42451"},"modified":"2026-10-05T10:11:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T08:11:48","slug":"south-africa-beat-egypt-in-cairo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/south-africa-beat-egypt-in-cairo\/","title":{"rendered":"Puso Dithejane Scores on Bafana Debut as South Africa Beat Egypt in Cairo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Puso Dithejane scored on his senior international debut as Bafana Bafana beat Egypt 1 to 0 at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, 4 October 2026. The 22 year old struck in the 51st minute after pressuring goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into an error, securing another victory for Pitso Mosimane&#8217;s South Africa. The win followed Bafana&#8217;s victories over Guinea and Eritrea in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.<\/p><div id=\"gaute-873206878\" class=\"gaute-after-paragraph-1 gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mosimane made nine changes from the team that beat Eritrea 5 to 0, with Ime Okon and Sphephelo Sithole the only players retained in the starting line up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dithejane and Tashreeq Matthews made their senior debuts, while Cassius Mailula started in attack and Brooklyn Poggenpoel partnered Sithole in midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine captained the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/ramaphosa-orders-90-day-gbvf\/\"><strong>ALSO READ: Ramaphosa Orders 90 Day GBVF Action Plan After Ekurhuleni Killings<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Egypt Put Changed Bafana Side Under Pressure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Egypt created the better opportunities early in the match as Bafana&#8217;s changed starting line up settled into the contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Omar Marmoush went close in the ninth minute after Karim Hafez played him through. Marmoush moved inside Okon before curling his attempt wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mohamed Hany threatened four minutes later, firing over from the edge of the penalty area following an Okon headed clearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thabang Matuludi was active at both ends. The Mamelodi Sundowns full back got forward in the 20th minute after receiving a pass from Matthews but sent his effort across goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lebone Seema also made several important defensive interventions as Egypt searched for an opening goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bafana gradually began creating chances of their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dithejane found Mailula around the half hour mark, but his effort was comfortably dealt with by Shobeir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Matuludi went close again in the 38th minute when his stronger effort went narrowly over the crossbar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The teams went into half time level at 0 to 0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dithejane Scores First Bafana Goal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mosimane made changes at the break, including introducing Shandre Campbell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Five minutes into the second half, the substitute helped create the moment that decided the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Campbell played the ball forward as Shobeir rushed from his goal. Dithejane pressed the Egyptian goalkeeper, whose attempted clearance struck the South African winger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dithejane kept possession and finished into an empty net to give Bafana a 1 to 0 lead in the 51st minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It completed a memorable senior debut for the Chicago Fire winger, who had already begun finding space in Egypt&#8217;s defence during the first half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4245948151\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Goss Helps Bafana Hold off Egypt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Egypt pushed for an equaliser as the second half progressed, forcing South Africa to defend their narrow advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mosimane later replaced Chaine with Ricardo Goss in goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Goss produced a key save to deny Egypt substitute Hamza Abdelkarim before being called into action again during stoppage time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He went low to stop Ibrahim Adel&#8217;s header from a corner before Abdelkarim struck the crossbar from the rebound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bafana survived the late pressure to complete a 1 to 0 victory in Cairo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mosimane&#8217;s Winning Start Continues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Egypt result continued Bafana&#8217;s winning run under Mosimane following victories in their first two Group D qualifiers for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cafonline.com\/caf-africa-cup-of-nations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2027 Africa Cup of Nations.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">South Africa beat Guinea 2 to 1 before recording a 5 to 0 victory over Eritrea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Egypt friendly allowed Mosimane to assess more of his squad after making nine starting changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dithejane and Matthews were handed senior debuts, while other players who had not started against Eritrea were given opportunities against an Egypt side that had beaten South Sudan 5 to 0 earlier in the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Okon Backs South African Football&#8217;s Progress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ahead of the Egypt match, Bafana defender Ime Okon said recent results at senior and youth level showed positive signs for South African football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think we are very much headed in the right direction,\u201d Okon said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 22 year old pointed to the role of local academies in developing players for the national set up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe academies have been doing well over the last few years in bringing players into the set up. It is a true reflection of South African football and we can only go up from here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bafana finished third at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations under former head coach Hugo Broos and qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where South Africa reached the knockout stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The South African Under 20 side has also won the Cosafa Under 20 Championship for a second consecutive time and qualified for the 2027 Under 20 Africa Cup of Nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4245948151\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bafana Move up FIFA Rankings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The senior team&#8217;s recent results have also been reflected in the FIFA rankings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the supplied report, Bafana had moved to 49th in the world ahead of the Egypt friendly, their best position in 15 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Okon said the rise was motivating and that seeing the teams above South Africa in the rankings gave the squad belief that they could continue climbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The defender has remained part of Mosimane&#8217;s starting plans and scored his first Bafana goal in the victory over Guinea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What This Means for Gauteng Residents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The victory included several players linked to Gauteng based clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chaine and Seema started for Bafana after being selected from Orlando Pirates, while Matuludi represented Mamelodi Sundowns in the starting line up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Gauteng football supporters following the national team, the match also provided an early look at the depth available to Mosimane as he made nine changes while still securing a victory against Egypt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The result leaves Bafana with three consecutive wins during the international period after victories over Guinea, Eritrea and Egypt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What was the Bafana Bafana vs Egypt score?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bafana Bafana beat Egypt 1 to 0 at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, 4 October 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who scored for Bafana Bafana against Egypt?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Puso Dithejane scored in the 51st minute after pressuring Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into an error. It was Dithejane&#8217;s first senior international goal on his Bafana debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who is Puso Dithejane?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dithejane is a 22 year old South African winger who plays for Chicago Fire in the United States. He made his senior Bafana debut against Egypt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who captained Bafana Bafana against Egypt?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine captained Bafana against Egypt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who is Bafana Bafana&#8217;s coach?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pitso Mosimane is Bafana Bafana&#8217;s head coach. South Africa won its first two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers under Mosimane before beating Egypt in the friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4245948151\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bafana Complete Successful Cairo Outing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The victory over Egypt completed a successful international period for Bafana following competitive wins over Guinea and Eritrea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mosimane was able to make nine changes, hand Dithejane and Matthews senior debuts and still secure victory against Egypt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Dithejane, the night carried added significance. His first appearance for the senior national team ended with his first Bafana goal and the match winner in Cairo.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Puso Dithejane scored on his senior international debut as Bafana Bafana beat Egypt 1 to 0 at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, 4 October 2026. The 22 year old struck in the 51st minute after pressuring goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into an error, securing another victory for Pitso Mosimane&#8217;s South Africa. The win followed Bafana&#8217;s victories over Guinea and Eritrea in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":42455,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"south africa","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[906,286,11875],"ppma_author":[11575],"class_list":["post-42451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-afcon","tag-bafana-bafana","tag-egypt"],"authors":[{"term_id":11575,"user_id":23,"is_guest":0,"slug":"nomthandazo","display_name":"Nomthandazo Ntisa","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ec3262463e8ed5ea26dca074ed7eff95ffede057639be73a77f7896ccd06170f?s=96&r=g","author_category":"1","first_name":"Nomthandazo","last_name":"Ntisa","user_url":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/","job_title":"Content Editor","description":"Nomthandazo Ntisa is a journalist and Content Editor at What's On G with more than six years of experience in journalism, digital publishing, and content strategy. She covers the people, places, events, and issues shaping Gauteng \u2014 producing stories that help readers understand and connect with life across the province."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42451"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42454,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42451\/revisions\/42454"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42451"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=42451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}