Bafana Bafana Step Up AFCON Preparations With Final Friendly Against Ghana

Bafana Bafana will add one more match to their AFCON build up after SAFA confirmed a friendly against Ghana. The fixture will take place on 16 December in Gauteng at a venue that is still to be confirmed. The match gives Hugo Broos a final chance to test combinations before the squad travels to Morocco for the tournament later this month.

Bafana start camp this week at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. The technical team will use the camp to sharpen match fitness and improve structure. Broos wants clear rhythm before the opening group match.

He has already named his final 25 man squad. The group includes Teboho Mokoena, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Ronwen Williams and Sphephelo Sithole. All four featured at the previous AFCON in January 2024 where Bafana secured a bronze medal. Their presence brings stability and leadership.

Several players will experience their first AFCON. Sipho Mbule, Mohau Nkota, Khulumani Ndamane and Mbekezeli Mbokazi will aim to make an impact. Their inclusion signals Broos’ focus on balance between continuity and new energy.

Lyle Foster returns to the national team after missing the last AFCON due to mental health struggles. His availability strengthens the attack. His recent form at Burnley shows progress and gives Broos an important option in the final third.

Bafana are in Group B with Angola, Egypt and Zimbabwe. The group demands sharp defensive structure and fast transitions. The friendly against Ghana offers strong opposition that mirrors the intensity expected at the tournament.

The team now enters the final stretch of preparation. The Ghana match will help Broos confirm his starting unit, test tactical discipline and assess individual readiness. Bafana want a strong start in Morocco and see this friendly as an essential part of their plan.