01.04.2026
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Bafana Bafana gear up for another encounter against Panama

7 mins



  • Bafana Bafana players seen during a training session ahead of their match against Panama.

Bafana Bafana Coach, Hugo Broos, says they take Tuesday’s second international friendly against Panama to be played at a sold-out Cape Town Stadium very seriously.

The Belgian mentor says playing the two matches against Panama would prepare them for the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against hosts Mexico on 11 June.

Meanwhile, Panama coach, Thomas Christiansen, says as much as there are similarities in playing styles of Bafana Bafana and Ghana, who are in their group for the World Cup, Bafana are not as physical as the Black Stars.

The choice of the 33rd-ranked Panama as opposition for the two international friendlies for Bafana Bafana during the current FIFA break, has been questioned in some quarters. Those questioning it are of the view that the 60th-ranked Bafana Bafana should be playing high profile opposition as part of preparing for the World Cup.

However, Broos still believes playing Panama is the right choice. He says they take Tuesday’s friendly seriously adding the two friendlies will prepare them for the opening match of the World Cup against Mexico.

“We take the game of tomorrow very seriously. We did a very good game on Friday, we did the right choice with tomorrow’s opponents to play against Panama, two times. It was a good test already on Friday, and tomorrow, I also expect a tough match. It is alight for the preparation because the whole purpose is to prepare us for the opening match against Mexico,” says Broos.

The Belgian mentor says he is happy with how the boys performed in the first match in Durban on Friday. But he says they have to improve some aspects of their game and give Bafana Bafana fans an entertaining game.

“We had a debriefing with the boys this morning and they know they were good in some things, but there are some things that they have to do better. I was also happy with the fans. It showed that they are behind the team and we will need them. From our side, we will try to give them an entertaining game.”

His opposite number, Thomas Christiansen, says they know the strengths of Bafana Bafana and are looking forward to the match.

“The strength, they have good quality players. They have fast players with a good intensity in the attacks and also in defence. They know exactly what to do. So, for the game tomorrow, we will also be on a sold out stadium. So, it would be a difficult game but we are looking forward to make a good game,” says Christiansen.

Meanwhile, Broos has reiterated his believe that Bafana Bafana will have a good showing at the World Cup tournament and might even spring a surprise or two. He says while the team did not perform well at the Afcon tournament in Morocco, it just needs to play at a high level like it did against Panama in Durban, to be competitive at the World Cup.

“Honestly, I am not worried. I know the boys and their mentality and they are hungry to show something also at the world cup. I have believed in this team for years and still believe we can do some surprises for people who think we can’t do that. This team is able to do many things but again we have to be at the best level.”

Broos says he is 70% certain of what his squad will look like for this year’s World Cup.

Bafana Bafana are in Group A for the tournament alongside hosts, Mexico and South Korea with the winner of the final European playoff match between the Czech Republic and Denmark to complete the group.

VIDEO | Concerns have been raised about the cost of the friendlies against Panama:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8SwdenM4Ss

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