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SAFA has confirmed that Bafana Bafana will face Zambia in an international friendly on 14 November. The fixture forms part of their build-up to the Africa Cup of Nations; the venue will be announced.
What Happened?
Bafana come into this period on a high after qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With AFCON around the corner, the technical team wants strong competition to prepare for a tough Group B draw that includes Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe.
Coach Hugo Broos plans to keep the core squad that featured in the recent qualifiers. This approach gives the team consistency and an opportunity to sharpen their play before the tournament kicks off.
Official Response
SAFA says the Zambia friendly is strategic. Both nations share a familiar style of football in the region, which helps measure Bafana’s readiness.
“We must arrive at AFCON strong and united,” said a SAFA official. “Every match now is part of the mission to improve.”
Broos has also shown confidence in the group that impressed in Ivory Coast earlier this year when they finished third.
Community Impact
Fans welcomed the announcement, hoping it signals another promising run at AFCON. Local supporters say the match should boost the team’s morale and tighten combinations.
However, they still wait for SAFA to reveal the venue, since hosting the game locally could attract a huge crowd.
