Bafana Bafana will be keen to start their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a victory over Panama in an international friendly at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.
Kick-off is at 7pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
South Africa are coming into the match looking to bounce back from their Round of 16 exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they lost 2-1 to Cameroon on January 4 in what was their second defeat in three matches.
A strong performance and victory over Panama would boost morale, and help Hugo Broos’ side build momentum ahead of the World Cup, with their second match scheduled for Tuesday, 31 March at the DHL Stadium.
Panama, meanwhile, are also looking to return to winning ways after losing 1-0 to Mexico on January 23 in an international friendly, a defeat that ended their 13-match unbeaten run in regulation time.
Los Canaleros enjoyed a successful 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in which they remained unbeaten, and a positive result against Bafana would deliver a major boost and serve as ideal preparation as Thomas Christiansen's side builds momentum for the finals.
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY MATCH
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 23, 2026
South Africa 🇿🇦 v 🇵🇦 Panama
🏟 Moses Mabhida Stadium
📅 27 March 2026
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TEAM NEWS
Bafana Bafana will be missing the services of several players from Broos’ 2025 AFCON squad who were left out of the current team, including Sipho Mbule, Mohau Nkota, Sipho Chaine and Siyabonga Ngezana.
However, a boost comes with the recalls of Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Jayden Adams.
Panama, on the other hand, will be without key defender Fidel Escobar, who remains sidelined by injury, but a boost comes with Roderick Miller and César Yanis having returned after long absences.
The squad is headlined by the likes of Adalberto Carrasquilla, Amir Murillo, Yoel Bárcenas, as well as 36-year-old captain Aníbal Godoy.
WHAT WAS SAID?
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos
“It was the right decision to choose Panama to play two international games here in South Africa. We will learn a lot about the middle American style of playing football. The result is not that important, but I want to avoid having two or major defeats," Broos said.
"We have to learn about those kinds of countries. But on the other hand, I also want to see the Bafana Bafana I saw in the past three years. The spirit was something we lost during the recent Africa Cup of Nations, and we have to restore it, and that is why there are a few changes in our selections."
Panama left-back Jose Cordoba
“South Africa is a team that can be compared to Ghana. They have faced each other many times and their style of football is similar," Cordoba told Panamanian Football Federation media.
"So I think we can make a comparison and get a better sense of what the match might be like, whether it will be very hard-fought, an intense match in terms of duels and intensity, and that will surely help us."
HEAD-TO-HEAD
South Africa and Panama will be meeting for the second time.
Their only meeting ended in a 1-1 draw in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal, which Los Canaleros won 5-3 on penalties.