Bafana Bafana and Panama have named their respective starting lineups for tonight’s friendly international at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
With the FIFA World Cup looming in 79 days, preparations are already in full swing, marked by this friendly encounter between Bafana and Panama, who will face each other twice, tonight and on Tuesday.
- ALSO READ: Broos Uncertain About His Future As Bafana Coach
- Panama Coach – Reason Why We’re Playing Bafana
Broos highlighted that this training camp’s primary focus is on observing player performance.
Notably, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Mbekezeli Mbokazi will miss this match due to travel commitments but may participate in the second match scheduled for Tuesday in Cape Town.
Despite widespread criticism about the opponent South Africa chose, Broos defended the choice emphasizing that it’s important to learn about opponents similar to one of the teams they will face at the World Cup in Mexico.
“It was the right decision to choose Panama to play two international games here in South Africa,” Broos said in a recent press conference.
“We will learn a lot about the middle American style of playing football. The result is not that important, but I do not want to have two defeats or big defeats.
“We have to learn about those kinds of countries. But on the hand I also want to see the Bafana Bafana I saw in the last three years.
“This was something we lost during the recent Africa Cup of Nations, and we have to restore it.”
Bafana are grouped with hosts Mexico and South Korea, and a Path D winner between Denmark or Czech Republic.
Here’s how both teams line-up:
Bafana Starting XI: Williams, Mudau, Okon, Ndamane, Modiba, Mokoena, Sithole, Moremi, Zwane, Appollis, Foster
Subs: Leaner, Goss, Adams, Maseko, Mofokeng, Kabini, Mbokazi, Mbatha, Hlongwane, Sibisi, Makgopa, Matuludi
Panama Starting XI: Mejia, Miller, Krug, Cordoba, Blackman, Davis, Martinez, Barcenas, Yanis, Harvey, Waterman
Subs: Samudio, Mosquera, Ramos, Andrade, Gutierrez, Murillo, Rodriguez, Carrasquilla, Diaz, Godoy, Barria, Fajardo
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.
