The South African Football Association (SAFA) has not done much to help Bafana Bafana prepare for major competitions over the past 20 months.
The national team has not faced a single top-20-ranked nation in nearly two years, which is a worrying trend for a side aiming to compete with Africa’s elite and make a mark on the global stage.
Since their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) heroics in 2024, where Hugo Broos’ men impressed by finishing third, Bafana have largely been restricted to friendlies against lower-ranked African nations.
While these matches have helped maintain squad chemistry, they have offered little in the way of tactical growth or exposure to the intensity of top-tier football.
SAFA should have arranged stronger opposition for Bafana
With Bafana having already sealed qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many expected SAFA to arrange a friendly against a high-calibre European or South American side. A match against a quality nation will truly gauge Bafana’s progress under Broos, especially in the last year or so.
Many fans were disappointed when it was announced that Zambia would play Bafana in November. Chipolopolo are a decent side on paper but let’s be honest, they do not pose the level of challenge needed to prepare for the AFCON.
Zambia, ranked outside the top 80 in the FIFA rankings, are a far cry from the world-class opposition that Broos’ charges desperately need to face.
Bafana Bafana should have organised a friendly match against Tunisia or Morocco at least. This is not the first time SAFA’s planning has been questioned. Since the 5-0 thrashing by France in an international friendly several years ago, Bafana have barely tested themselves against Europe’s best. The France defeat, although heavy, exposed key weaknesses and gave valuable experience to the players.
In the upcoming AFCON, Broos’ men will be against nations like Senegal, Morocco, and Egypt, who regularly face top European opposition.
SAFA needed to bring in two strong oppositions for Bafana to play. Nations like Japan and Tunisia could have prepared South Africa ahead of the Nations Cup.