Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki adamant Bafana Bafana 'won the game from training sessions' - 'We unsettled Egypt early'

Bafana Bafana head coach Molefi Ntseki has revealed the tactics South Africa used to beat Egypt in an African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier held in Cairo on March 9, 2025.

Bafana Bafana emerged as 3-1 winners, 4-2 on aggregate, to seal their place in the final qualifying phase. Their dominant display was crowned by goals from Neo Maema, Yandisa Mfolozi, and Siphelele Luthuli.

Maema scored in the 15th minute before Mfolozi added the second ten minutes later. Mohamed Abouelenein scored for the Pharaohs just before halftime, but the visitors added their third goal, through Luthuli's penalty, just as the second half began.

After restoring their two-goal lead, South Africa managed to keep the North Africans at bay to eventually secure a place in the final qualifying stage.

The dominant display against the Pharaohs should boost Bafana Bafana's morale going into the next assignment.

After they were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg one week ago in Bloemfontein, Ntseki's charges managed to outperform the home team despite the pressure on their shoulders.

As they get close to the CHAN finals, set to be held in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, captain Maema's leadership capabilities will be under the spotlight. He has so far been impressive, and the goal against Egypt should boost his morale, too.

“I think we won the game from our training sessions because the plan we had worked out. The players managed to implement it, and they showed a high level of technical endurance,” Ntseki told the media during the post-match press conference.

“That is the ability to execute the technical plan for the longest time in the game, and I think they did that. What also really worked for us today was to score early to unsettle Egypt on their home ground.

“Also, the discipline that we had without the ball, I think, was the one that we can look back at. Also, the players who were on the bench and the players who were in the grandstand, they gave us the support we needed.”

South Africa will face their COSAFA rivals, Malawi, in May for the final qualifying game. The Flames managed a 4-0 aggregate win over Comoros.