bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named a 23-man squad to face Zambia in a friendly at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on 15 November at 6 pm. The game serves as South Africa’s final tune-up before the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco this December and January.

What Happened?

The squad announcement took place on 06 November 2025. Broos will retain most of his core players while offering a few newer faces one to impress before the final Afcon selection.

South Africa heads into this friendly with strong momentum after qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Rwanda in Mbombela ,their first qualification since hosting the tournament in 2010.

Despite speculation about additional matches, Broos confirmed that only one friendly will be played due to a congested Premier Soccer League (PSL) schedule.

Official Response

Broos emphasized that the Zambia clash aligns with Afcon preparation rather than World Cup focus.

“Why an African team again? Because we are preparing for Afcon now, not the World Cup,” the Belgian coach said.

He noted that Zambia provides a valuable test, as Bafana’s Group B opponents at Afcon include Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe—two of which are Southern African teams.

The coach also said the friendly will help assess tactical readiness and player depth before finalizing the continental tournament squad.

The match has sparked excitement among Eastern Cape fans, as Gqeberha rarely hosts national fixtures of this magnitude. Local tourism and hospitality industries are also expected to benefit from the influx of supporters.

Bafana’s recent performances, including a bronze finish at the 2024 Afcon in Ivory Coast, have reignited national optimism. Many supporters see the team as potential dark horses in Morocco.