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Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and his technical team.
Bafana Bafana registered a morale boosting 3-1 win against Zambia in an international friendly played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium earlier this afternoon.
South Africa led 1-nil at the break after a goal from Oswin Appollis, two minutes before the break. Mohau Nkota and Sphephelo Sithole scored two more goals in the second half.
The result will assist Bafana Bafana to maintain their top 10 CAF ranking, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the 5th of next month.
And so it ends in Gqeberha. Our journey towards the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco continues…….#BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/743iZVq9um
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) November 15, 2025
This international friendly between the two nations is part of the preparations for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament and was the 16th match between South Africa and Zambia.
Samukelo Kabini, Siphephelo Sithole, and Tshepang Moremi were all in South Africa’s starting lineup. The match marked the 50th cap for Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena.
Despite controlling most part of the first half, the hosts had nothing to show after 35 minutes of play.
Bafana Bafana forward Oswin Appollis broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time after receiving a defence-splitting pass from Sithole. The home side enjoyed a slender 1-nil lead at half-time.
Bafana Bafana made three changes in the beginning of the second half, introducing Thalente Mbatha, Mohau Nkota, and Khulumani Ndamane.
Also captain Ronwen Williams made way for Sipho Chaine, with the armband going to defender Nkosinathi Sibisi.
Nkota made an immediate impact scoring Bafana Bafana’s second goal to make it 2-nil in the 62nd minute, after a Sipho Mbule pass.
Then Sithole made it 3-nil six minutes later from a corner.
Substitute Sebobo Banda scored a consolation goal for Zambia in injury time to make the final score 3-1.
