South Africa faces Panama as Bafana tests revamped squad ahead of FIFA World Cup.
South Africa is set to face Panama on Friday in Durban, marking the first of two friendly matches during the international break, with a rematch scheduled in Cape Town next Tuesday.
This will be Hugo Broos’ team’s first appearance since their 2-1 defeat to Cameroon in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco. The Belgian head coach has acknowledged that there were issues behind the scenes during that tournament.
Following the announcement of his squad, Broos expressed his disappointment via SABC Sport: “I was very disappointed after the tournament; we did not accomplish what we aimed for, first and foremost.”
“Additionally, the quality of our performances was not up to our usual standards. There are multiple factors, but I believe the most significant reason was that throughout the camp and the AFCON, I did not sense what I refer to as the Bafana Bafana DNA.”
“Thus, quality, mentality, and discipline were lacking. I understand the reasons, but I prefer not to elaborate; that was the reality, and I think it was certainly one of the key factors behind our underwhelming performance.”
Broos has made several changes to his squad, bringing back players such as Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko, and Bongokuhle Hlongwane. Regular backup goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has been excluded, along with Orlando Pirates teammate Sipho Mbule, a midfielder who Broos frequently relied on in the no.10 position during FIFA World Cup qualifiers and AFCON.
Al-Ettifaq winger Mohau Nkota is also absent from the squad, but Broos has expressed understanding regarding the personal challenges the 21-year-old has recently faced.
Key details
Date: Friday, March 27 at 19:00 CAT
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
How to watch: The match will be broadcast on SABC Sport
Team news
Broos has indicated that MLS players Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Philadelphia Union) and Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire) are more likely to play a significant role in the upcoming match in Cape Town against Panama than in this Friday’s game, as he allows them time to recover from jetlag.
The absence of Siyabonga Ngezana due to injury has created an opportunity for his fellow centre-backs to step up.
Expected lineups
South Africa
GK Ronwen Williams
LB Aubrey Modiba | CB Ime Okon | CB Khulumani Ndamane | RB Khuliso Mudau
CM Thalente Mbatha | CM Teboho Mokoena
LW Oswin Appollis | AM Relebohile Mofokeng | RW Thapelo Maseko
ST Lyle Foster
Panama
GK Orlando Mosquera
LWB Γric Davis | CB Jiovany Ramos | CB JosΓ© Cordoba | CB MartΓn Krug | RWB Amir Murillo
CM Carlos Harvey | CM AnΓbal Godoy
LW CΓ©sar Yanis | ST Kadir BarrΓa | RW Yoel BΓ‘rcenas
Stats
Bafana Bafana last faced Panama in the quarter-finals of the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where Panama emerged victorious on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Relebohile Mofokeng has recorded 7 goals and 3 assists in his last 10 matches for Orlando Pirates across all competitions. Most recently, he achieved his first professional hat-trick in the 6-0 Betway Premiership victory over TS Galaxy on Sunday.
