Picture: Bafana Bafana players during training/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
26 February 2026 – Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium and DHL Cape Town Stadium will host Bafana Bafana’s two international friendly matches against Panama next month. The South African senior men’s national team host the first match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 27 March 2026, before facing the Central American country in the second game in Cape Town on 31 March 2026.
The matches form a critical component of head coach Hugo Broos’ build-up programme ahead of the global tournament, which will be hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. Bafana Bafana return to Durban for the first time since they were held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe in a tense 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in October 2025.
Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos said the South Africans threw everything they had at the Zimbabweans, but luck was not on their side as the ball was cleared off the line and then the goalposts kept it out of the back of the net on two occasions. Broos said they picked themselves up and wrapped up qualification after they beat Rwanda 3-0 in an exhilarating match in Mbombela.
“Tickets to the two matches between Bafana Bafana and Panama will open from R80 for adults and R50 for children under 12 years old. The tickets will be available from 26 February 2026,” he said.
The Guardian 