The South African Football Association (SAFA) have confirmed that Bafana Bafana’s two international friendly matches against Panama will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, 27 March and Tuesday, 31 March, at DHL Stadium.
The senior men’s national team will get back to country duty with the matches forming a critical component for head coach Hugo Broos’ build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
Broos’ charges take to the field for the first time since their last 16 round elimination by Cameroon at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
This will also be their first return to Ethekwini since their goalless stalemate against Zimbabwe in a World Cup qualifier at the 2010 FIFA World Cup venue in October 2025.
They did however bounce back strongly in their deciding clash by wrapping up qualification after they beat Rwanda 3-0 at Mbombela Stadium.
SAFA confirmed in a brief statement on Wednesday evening of the friendly matches.
“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 Friday 27 March before facing the Central American country in the second game in Cape Town on Tuesday, 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 goalless draw by Zimbabwe in a tense 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in October 2025.
“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. 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 R80.00 for adults and R50.00 for children under 12 years old. The tickets will be available from Thursday, 26 February 2026,” the statement read.
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