Bafana To Play Ghana In Soweto
The South African Football Association has confirmed that Bafana Bafana will host Ghana in a friendly match at Dobsonville Stadium — their final fixture before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco later this month.
Bafana Bafana will welcome the West Africans to Soweto on Tuesday, 16 December, before flying to Morocco the following day ahead of their AFCON campaign, scheduled to take place in the North African country from 21 December to 18 January 2026.
Coach Hugo Broos said Bafana Bafana will not have the same element of surprise they enjoyed at the previous tournament in Côte d’Ivoire in 2024, adding that he expects opponents to be far more prepared for his team this time around.
“We showed that we are a good team in the previous AFCON, where Bafana Bafana finished with a bronze medal. Now everyone knows we are a good team, and they will be ready to fight against us and try to beat us. Winning against South Africa now is very different from winning two years ago,” he said.
“So it will be something different, and I think we need to adapt from our first game against Angola. We must be ready. It will be like the previous AFCON.”
Elias Mokwana said he was happy to reunite with his Bafana Bafana teammates after an extended absence, while newcomer Tylon Smith said he would seize any opportunity that comes his way in Morocco with both hands.
The Bafana Bafana medical team has been strengthened for the tournament with the addition of Bongani Manuku.
Senior Performance Analyst Sinesipho Mali will also not be alone in Morocco, as Under-20 World Cup analyst Tinashe-Shingai Mukandatsama has joined his department.
Bafana Bafana are in Group B and will face Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe. South Africa will play their opening match of the tournament against Angola on 22 December 2025.
