Roger de Sa Warns Bafana Bafana of Mohamed Salah and Egypt Threat at AFCON

Former Orlando Pirates and Egypt assistant coach Roger de Sa has issued a strong warning to Bafana Bafana ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations meeting with Egypt. De Sa believes the Pharaohs remain one of the most dangerous teams on the continent. Recent struggles do not erase their pedigree. His message is clear. Egypt should never be underestimated at AFCON.

Egypt will begin their Group B campaign against Zimbabwe before facing South Africa on Friday 26 December. They will close the group against Angola three days later. For Bafana Bafana, the match against Egypt could shape their entire tournament. De Sa speaks with authority, having served as Egypt’s assistant coach between 2021 and 2022.

De Sa says Egypt’s history alone makes them a major threat. They are the most successful nation in AFCON history. He points out that the team often performs at a higher level when the tournament is hosted in North Africa. Experience and belief are deeply rooted in the squad.

He acknowledges that Egypt’s road to the tournament has not been smooth. Performances have been inconsistent. Despite this, he insists the team remains established and dangerous. In his view, Egypt are still the strongest side in Group B based on quality and structure.

Much of the focus has been on Mohamed Salah, especially following his recent situation at Liverpool. De Sa believes this could actually benefit Egypt. He says Salah is rested, motivated and eager to prove a point. From his personal experience, Salah responds well to pressure.

De Sa warns that upsetting Salah can be costly. He describes him as a world class player who can turn frustration into decisive action. In a short tournament, one inspired performance can change everything. Salah has the mindset to deliver in those moments.

However, De Sa stresses that Bafana Bafana must prepare for more than just Salah. Egypt’s strength lies in their depth. He highlights players such as Omar Marmoush, Mostafa Mohamed and Trezeguet as constant attacking threats. Imam Ashour also adds quality and drive from midfield.

He explains that Egypt are tactically flexible and difficult to predict. Salah and Marmoush often interchange positions. Salah may drift wide or move centrally. This movement creates problems for defenders and opens space for others to attack.

De Sa also points to Egypt’s strong defensive organisation. The team works hard without the ball and stays compact. This balance allows their attackers to strike quickly and efficiently. It is a system built for tournament football.

For Bafana Bafana, the preparation must be collective. De Sa believes success will depend on focus across the entire team. Every player must stay alert and disciplined. Egypt punish mistakes through teamwork, not just individual brilliance.

The warning from De Sa is grounded in experience. Egypt arrive at AFCON with history, quality and hunger. Salah may draw the spotlight, but he is only part of a bigger threat. Bafana Bafana will need discipline, intensity and unity to handle what awaits them.