Panama Stuns Bafana As Hugo Broos’ Unbeaten Home Record Shatters

CAPE TOWN – A world-class strike from Mbekezeli Mbokazi wasn’t enough to save Bafana Bafana as Panama secured a 2-1 victory at a sold-out DHL Stadium on Tuesday night.

It was Bafana Bafana’s first home defeat under Broos since his appointment in May 2021.

Playing in front of an electric crowd that packed DHL Stadium to capacity, South Africa failed to assert their authority as they had in the first friendly between the two sides at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.

Broos made several changes to the team that featured in that encounter. Jayden Adams, who had not played for the national team in two years, started ahead of Yaya Sithole, while Relebohile Mofokeng replaced Themba Zwane. Mbokazi came in for Khulumani Ndamane, and Bongokuhle Hlongwane returned to the line-up in place of Friday’s goalscorer, Oswin Appollis.

The opening exchanges were feisty, suggesting this was anything but a friendly, but clear-cut chances were scarce as Bafana struggled to deliver the final ball to trouble Panama.

While Hlongwane and Tshepang Moremi appeared to battle with the pace of the game, Adams and Teboho Mokoena looked to impose themselves in midfield. Mokoena was pulled back by José Murillo in one such moment, earning the Panama defender a yellow card.

Bafana Bafana continued to make inroads into the Panama half but lacked penetration and composure in the final third. The first real chance fell to Ismael Díaz, whose downward header from a clipped cross went straight into the hands of Ronwen Williams.

The tempo remained high, with Khuliso Mudau picking out Lyle Foster, who was unable to reach the ball before goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera gathered it.

In the 43rd minute, the Cape Town crowd rose in anticipation when the ball fell kindly to Hlongwane with the goal at his mercy, but he fired wide—summing up his frustrating first half.

Half-time: South Africa 0-0 Panama

After the break, Broos made two changes, introducing Evidence Makgopa for Foster and handing Renaldo Leaner his second international appearance in place of Williams.

Panama broke the deadlock in the 58th minute from a free-kick that the defence failed to clear. Leaner parried the initial effort, but José Córdoba reacted quickest to slot home the rebound.

Just after the hour mark, Mofokeng, Moremi and Hlongwane were replaced by Zwane, Appollis and Maseko.

The changes injected fresh energy into Bafana, and after a slick passing move, Mbokazi unleashed a powerful strike into the back of the net, sending the Cape Town crowd into raptures.

South Africa nearly took the lead moments later when Appollis delivered a dangerous cross that Makgopa glanced goalwards, but the ball landed on the roof of the net.

However, Panama regained the lead in the 77th minute when indecision in goal by Leaner allowed Jiovany Ramos to head home.

Based on this performance, Bafana Bafana still have significant work to do ahead of their opening FIFA World Cup match against Mexico on 11 June.