South Africa Prepares for CHAN Challenge
South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, is preparing for a critical CHAN qualifier against Malawi set to take place on Sunday, 5 May 2025, at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. The match marks the first leg of a two-part series that will determine qualification for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) — a tournament exclusively featuring locally-based players.
Head coach Helman Mkhalele has been working with a squad assembled from DStv Premiership and Motsepe Foundation Championship clubs, focusing on match fitness, tactical cohesion, and mental readiness for the high-pressure fixture.
Mkhalele Stresses Discipline and Team Unity
In pre-match interviews, Coach Mkhalele emphasized discipline and mental toughness as key attributes needed to overcome Malawi on their home turf. He acknowledged the challenge posed by the Flames, especially with their home support advantage.
“We know this will be a tough encounter, but we are focused, and the boys are showing hunger and commitment,” said Mkhalele. “We want to return to South Africa with a result we can build on.”
Squad Composition and Preparation
The squad comprises in-form players from top-flight domestic sides, including the likes of Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Stellenbosch FC. Mkhalele and his technical team have been hard at work at the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre to fine-tune tactics and build chemistry within the squad.
The return leg is expected to be hosted in South Africa later this month. The aggregate winner will secure a spot in the CHAN 2024 finals in Algeria.
