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Broos Stirs Up a 2017 Memory Ahead of AFCON Clash: Egypt vs South Africa

25 December 2025

Broos Stirs Up a 2017 Memory Ahead of AFCON Clash: Egypt vs South Africa
Broos looks back at past success as AFCON 2025 approaches Egypt-South Africa.

Pre-match recollection from Hugo Broos

Belgian coach Hugo Broos of South Africa recalled the score he recorded against Egypt when he coached Cameroon in 2017.

This happened during the pre-match press conference for Egypt versus South Africa, the second round of AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

Broos said he knows Egypt's key strengths well and has faced them before, and he carries a positive memory from those clashes.

He added that it is good to face a team he beat before; it is a pleasant memory, but many years have passed and the Egyptian team has changed a lot since then.

Broos played a central role in Cameroon winning the 2017 AFCON final on February 5 at the Friendship Stadium in Libreville, Gabon, defeating Egypt 2-1.

He also noted that Egypt is currently very strong, with standout players such as Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

Despite Egypt's star power, he said the focus should be on the team as a whole, not on a single player, to avoid a big mistake.

He pointed out that Egypt has vast experience and a record of seven tournament titles, a factor he keeps in mind.

Egypt's ongoing form is a reminder that AFCON continues to unfold, with Morocco and others watching the contest closely.

Punchline 1: If memory were a pass, 2017 would still be assisting today.

Punchline 2: If Egypt keeps changing, maybe they should hire a time-traveling midfielder.

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Hugo Broos and what memory did he reference?

Hugo Broos is the South Africa coach who recalled the 2017 Cameroon-Egypt final after facing Egypt previously.

What is the context of the Egypt vs South Africa match?

It's the second round of AFCON 2025 taking place in Morocco.

Which Egyptian players did the SA coach mention?

He referenced Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush as standout players.