South Africa coach Hugo Broos has called for an immediate response from his players, admitting his side “lost that” identity during their recent Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco.
South Africa national football team are preparing to return to action for the first time since their elimination from the tournament, with two FIFA-sanctioned friendlies against Panama national football team scheduled in the coming days.
The first match will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, before the teams meet again at DHL Stadium on Tuesday. The fixtures follow South Africa’s 2-1 defeat to Cameroon national football team in the round of 16 at the most recent Africa Cup of Nations.
That exit marked a setback for a side that had shown promise in recent months, including a third-place finish at the 2024 edition of the tournament and a 3-0 win over Rwanda national football team in World Cup qualifying last October.
Broos, however, made clear that past achievements will count for little unless his team rediscovers its approach on the pitch.
“The only thing I want to see is a real Bafana Bafana this Friday. The team we’ve known for the past two years, the one that has given us great results and fantastic performances,” said the Belgian.
Reflecting on the team’s display at the continental tournament, he added: “We lost that a bit three months ago at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. I hope to see a team on Friday that plays with passion, that is determined when it’s on the pitch.”
As preparations intensified in Durban, the squad received a visit from Siya Kolisi, captain of the Springboks and a two-time Rugby World Cup winner, who spent time with the players during training.
The visit formed part of the build-up to the upcoming fixtures, as South Africa aim to reset following their Afcon disappointment and re-establish momentum ahead of future competitions.
AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Senegal face Ethiopia as Zambia meet Togo in second round Sep 26, 2026
