Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to host Bafana Bafana’s international friendly against Zambia

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has confirmed that Bafana Bafana’s upcoming international friendly against Zambia will be staged at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

The fixture, scheduled for Saturday, 15 November, will kick off at 18:00 and serves as a key warm-up match for Hugo Broos’ men ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco later this year.

Zambia, who recently parted ways with head coach Avram Grant, will be hoping to regroup before the continental showpiece. Meanwhile, Broos will look to extend Bafana Bafana’s remarkable 24-match unbeaten run.

“Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape will host the international friendly match between 2026 FIFA World Cup-bound Bafana Bafana and regional neighbours Zambia this month,” SAFA said in a statement.

The statement added, “The match forms part of coach Hugo Broos’ preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations. Ticketing details will be announced in the coming days.”

The final 23-man Bafana Bafana squad for the friendly will be unveiled by Broos on Thursday, 6 November 2025, at SAFA House.

Hugo Broos had earlier named a preliminary squad, which will now be trimmed ahead of the high-profile encounter.

The Belgian trainer will use the friendly against Zambia to help his preparations for the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.