Bafana Bafana and Uganda have both named strong starting 11s for this afternoon’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers Group K opener at Orlando Stadium.
South Africa’s quest for an AFCON spot in Morocco next year will see them hoping to pick up where they left off in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers ahead of next week’s tricky tie away to South Sudan, who are rock bottom after their narrow 1-0 defeat to Congo Brazzaville.
Hugo Broos’s side have been dealt a huge blow after captain Ronwen Williams was forced to withdraw due to an injury, with Themba Zwane being handed the armband for this clash.
Head-to-head record hugely favours the home side who remain unbeaten having won four and drawn one in five encounters against the Cranes.
The last time these two sides met was back in a friendly international back in 2021 at this afternoon’s venue with Bafana running out 3-2 victors, courtesy of Evidence Makgopa’s brace and a solitary strike from Bongokuhle Hlongwane.
Here is how they will line up:
Bafana XI: Mothwa, Modiba, Mudau, Dortley, Ngezana, Mokoena, Sithole, Zwane (c), Mokwana, Foster, Appollis
Subs: Chaine, Mobbie, Basadien, Mbatha, Adams, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Rayners, Kekana, Sibisi, Goss, Morena
Uganda XI: Watenga, Bwomono, Kayondo, Mugabi, Capradossi, Ssekiganda, Kassim Mato, Aucho (c), Mukwala, Mutyaba, Omedi
Subs: Alionzi, Lukwago, Odong, Okello, Kabuye, Muleme, Begisa, Sserunjagi, Ochaya, Ssemugabi, Joachiam
