11 August 2023 – Bafana Bafana will play three international friendly matches at home and one away in the coming weeks as coach Hugo Broos prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire in January next year, and for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao confirmed that the South African senior men’s national team will host Namibia on 9 September 2023 (kick off is at 15h00), DR Congo on 12 September (18h00) and Eswatini on 13 October. Coach Broos’ charges will then travel to the west of the continent to face Africa Cup of Nations hosts Côte d’Ivoire on 17 October, five days after the AFCON draw.
“These matches are in support of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos as he continues with his preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations in the beginning of next year, and the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November this year,” the SAFA CEO said.
The venues of the matches in South Africa will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
“The national team has been going from strength to strength, and we at 10bet can’t wait for the upcoming international friendlies to kick off. Millions of football enthusiasts and the nation at large have your back, and this is an opportunity to continue rallying behind the team along their exciting journey ahead. Good Luck Bafana Bafana, you have our support”, said Nick Moyo, Sponsorship Manager at 10bet South Africa.
The South African senior national team was placed in Group C at the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers conducted in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, in July 2023, and they were pitted against Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Benin, Rwanda and Lesotho.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States of America. The World Cup qualifiers will start in November this year and wrap up in 2025. The Africa Cup of Nations will be held from 13 January to 11 February 2024.