The 2026 FIFA World Cup-bound South African senior men’s national team will host regional neighbours Zambia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as part of Broos’ preparations for the Africa Cup op Nations in Morocco at the end of the year.

Broos said for now, one friendly will do, but there will be another game before they depart for North Africa, and it’s important not to overload the national players, as he wants them fresh for the continental showpiece.

Oswin Appollis. Photo: Morgan Piek

“There are a few new boys; a few others are not there because I know those players. So, I didn’t have to see them. But I took this opportunity in this game against Zambia to call some new players and to see them in training, see how their mentality is, and maybe in the future we can count on them,” the Bafana Bafana coach said.

“People have been asking why we’re only playing one game this month. When you look at the current PSL schedule, players are playing almost every three days, and I wanted to spare them the extra load of two more matches with the national team,” said Broos.

“Every time the players join Bafana Bafana, I expect them to give 100%, but with the number of games they’ve already played this year, I felt it was better to play one good match than two where fatigue could become a problem.”

Broos added it was important to face an African team rather than an opponent from another continent, as the focus for now is only on AFCON, and the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico will get attention later.

“We’re preparing for AFCON next month, so we’ll have another friendly before we leave for Morocco. That’s enough for now. I didn’t want to add unnecessary fixtures.

“Some people also asked why we’re playing another African team instead of a South American or European side. Well, we’re not preparing for the World Cup right now – we’re preparing for AFCON.

Tebogo Mokoena. Photo: Morgan Piek

“AFCON is very important, and for that reason, it makes more sense to play against another African team. The time to face non-African opponents will come next year, in March or before the World Cup in June.

“This match is also an opportunity to give a few new players a chance. You’ll see in the squad list that there are some new faces, while others are not included because I already know them well. I want to use this game against Zambia to assess the new boys – to see how they perform in training, to test their mentality, and to determine if we can count on them in the future.”

The team will assemble in Johannesburg on Monday before departing for the Eastern Cape.

Next week, Saturday’s game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will kick off at 15:00.

Bafana Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers - Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine

Defenders - Khuliso Mudau, Thabang Matuludi, Thabo Moloisane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khulumani Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Samukelo Kabini, Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Midfielders - Teboho Mokoena, Masindi Nemtajela, Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole, Sipho Mbule

Forwards - Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Lyle Foster, Keletso Makgalwa

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs