* Centered around the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Pamoja 2027 qualifiers involving Malawi, South Sudan and Angola
* As the Pharaohs announce a surprise October friendly against Tanzania on October 5 in Cairo
By Duncan Mlanjira
Egypt, who are in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) Pamoja 2027 qualifying campaign alongside Malawi, Angola and South Sudan, have scheduled themselves a friendly match against Tanzania on October 5 in Cairo.
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According to Egypt Independent, this is part of the Pharaohs broader preparation strategy for upcoming continental commitments but centered around the AFCONPamoja 2027 qualifiers.
The Pharaohs, who achieved their most successful FIFA World Cup performance in history, recording their first-ever tournament wins and progressing past the group stage of the 2026 edition in Americas, will fist host COSAFA side Angola at Cairo International Stadium on September 25.
They will then travel to Juba to take on CECAFA side South Sudan at Juba National Stadium on September 29 before then meeting another CECAFA national Tanzania for the friendly on October 5.
Thereafter, they will face Malawi in back-to-back fixtures during the November 2026 international window — first hosting the Flames for Matchday 3 before travelling to Lilongwe for Matchday 4 within November 9-17.
The Flames will open their campaign in Matchday 1 at home against South Sudan before travelling to face Angola in Matchday 2 within September 21 and October 6.
Egypt finished in fourth place at the AfCON 2025, in which Tanzania made history during in Morocco when they advanced to the knockout stages for the first time ever.
Thus the Pharaohs preference on the Taifa Stars to test themselves against the CECAFA style of play, which is similar to the COSAFA nations, Malawi and Angola.
At the FIFA World Cup 2026, the Pharaohs were outstanding when they finished group stages as runners-up to Belgium, whom they drew 1-1 in the opening match.
The Pharaohs then beat New Zealand 3-1 in their first-ever outright FIFA World Cup victory before drawing 1-1 with Iran to qualify for the Round of 32 in which they won 4-2 against Australia on post-match penalties having played out to 1-1 draw after 90 minutes and extra time.
In the Round of 16, they lost 2-3 to Argentina after a hard-fought battle the Pharaohs protested that officiation favoured the defending champions.
According to Egypt Independent, the Pharaohs’ preparatory camp is scheduled to assemble on September 17 to gear up for the opening double-header.
Meanwhile, the Flames will return to action in March 2027 for Matchday 5 against South Sudan, who qualified for this group stage after defeating Djibouti defeated 4-1 goal aggregate in the preliminary round — winning the first leg 4-0 at home before losing 0-1 away in Djibouti.
Match between South Sudan and Djibouti in preliminary round
The Flames will conclude the group campaign with a home match against Angola during Matchday 6 — with both fixtures scheduled between March 22-30, 2027.
Two top teams from each of the qualifying groups will qualify for the AfCON Pamoja 2027 to be co-hosted by East African nations, Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda.
The Flames last qualified for the AfCON in the 2021 edition hosted by Cameroon where they reached the knockout stages for the first time ever — where they were eliminated from the Round of 16 by Morocco.
Malawi Group B fixtures
Matchday 1: Malawi v South Sudan
Matchday 2: Angola v Malawi
Matchday 3: Egypt v Malawi
Matchday 4: Malawi v Egypt
Matchday 5: South Sudan v Malawi
Matchday 6: Malawi v Angola
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