By BAKANG MOKOTO
11 November 2025- Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos said the team will be approaching Saturday’s international friendly match against Zambia with the same focus and mentality they usually have for FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup-bound South African senior men’s national team will host regional neighbours Zambia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the Eastern Cape on 15 November 2025 as part of Broos’ preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco at the end of the year. Kick-off in Gqeberha will be at 3pm.
“We are preparing for the friendly game against Zambia on Saturday. But for me, friendly games do not exist. Every game we have to be focused and concentrate fully, and we have to try and win that game. It will not be any different for this game. I want to win on Saturday.
“With AFCON now just weeks away, this match will give us an opportunity to have a closer look at other players as we continue to fine-tune his squad. So it wouldn’t be a good thing if we lost the game on Saturday,” he said.
Broos further said they will ask every player to focus and concentrate the same way they do during the qualifiers. He added that even if it’s not a qualifier, they will not accept players taking this game as a little holiday.
“I want to win on Saturday. On the other hand, it’s also the last opportunity to call some players I want to see a little bit closer,” said Broos.
Meanwhile, the Bafana Bafana will remain in Johannesburg until Friday morning and then travel to Gqeberha.
The Guardian 