Bafana Bafana made the nation proud after participating at the recent CAF African Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast – we look at their upcoming 2024 fixtures. They reached third place at the biennial continental tournament as they scooped a bronze medal under coach Hugo Broos.
Gauteng News looks at the upcoming clashes for the 1996 African champions just after facing Andorra and Algeria over two international under the FIFA Series. As they looked to continue where they left off at AFCON at the start of the year, Bafana showed that their number three finish was not a fluke.
Bafana Faced Andorra and Tough Algeria in FIFA Series
The South Africans were invited to partake in the mini-tournament in Algiers but were disappointing in their opening match against European minnows, Andorra. While it is understandable that Broos fielded a second-string squad to expand his pool of players for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the draw cannot just be forgiven.
Broos gave opportunities to the likes of Goodman Mosele, Khanyisa Mayo, and goalkeeper Ricardo Goss. The SuperSport United keeper, Goss started between the posts and replaced Ronwen Williams but committed an error as the national team drew 1-1 back in March.
In their second match of the series, Bafana clashed against the Desert Foxes who gave them a good test in their Capital City, Algiers. Broos had to return to his strong squad or what can be called his first team which consisted of Themba Zwane, Williams, Teboho Mokoena, and Thabang Monare among others. The team didn’t disappoint the nation as they fought hard to secure a 3-all draw against one of the most powerful footballing nations in Africa.
South Africa to Face Nigeria Away from Home in June
The Southern African nation will be gunning for a return to the global showpiece and will meet another African powerhouse, Nigeria and the tie will be followed by the one against Zimbabwe. On 03 June, Broos and his men will be away from home to honour their FIFA World Cup assignment against the Super Eagles. While the venue is yet to be announced by SAFA and the NFA, the game could be staged in Uyo.
With the team having failed to qualify for the biggest football spectacle since hosting it in 2010, Broos has a massive responsibility to lead the team back to the global stage. The West Africans lost 2-0 to Mali in March and the result gives the side a massive boost that they can add to Nigeria’s woes. At the same time, the match is dubbed a grudge tie after Mzansi was booted out of the AFCON tournament by the Nigerians on penalties.
Broos to Meet Zimbabwe at Home
In their second Group C encounter, the South Africans will host neighbours, Zimbabwe possibly at Moses Mabhida or FNB Stadium. The Warriors make their return to international football after they were banned by FIFA following government interference in football matters.
After discovering the news that the ban was lifted, it came as a huge relief to the players and the fans who always blamed the disorganised ZIFA. Because Zimbabwe last played a competitive match in 2022 before facing Kenya and Zambia in friendlies last month, it is fair to say Bafana has the edge over their COSAFA rivals.
After these crucial qualifiers, Bafana and SAFA will possibly look at friendlies just before the end of the year excluding the COSAFA Cup that will be played during the DStv Premiership off-season. Besides those possible friendlies and the regional tournament, Bafana will bounce back to competitive football in 2025 against Benin and Lesotho to continue with their FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
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