South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has emphasised that his primary objective for the upcoming international friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique is not solely victory, but the development and assessment of his squad—particularly its new faces.
The Bafana Bafana are set to take on Tanzania at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday, 6 June 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 17:30 GMT. Four days later, on Tuesday, 10 June, they will return to the same venue to face Mozambique in their second friendly of the international break.
Broos, speaking on Monday, made it clear that while wins are desirable, the focus is squarely on individual and collective performances, particularly from players who are either new to the national setup or have had limited exposure at this level.
“We want to win both matches, and of course, we’ll do everything possible to achieve that,” said Broos. “But above all, the key aspect for me is how the players perform—especially those who are getting a chance to show themselves. I’m not putting pressure on them. They need to play freely, express themselves, and we’ll make our evaluations after that.”
The current squad includes just two players based in Europe: Luke Le Roux, who plies his trade in Sweden, and Samukele Kabini, currently playing in Norway.
The remainder of the selection comprises largely domestic-based players, many of whom are earning their first or second call-up to the senior national team.
For Broos, the upcoming matches present a valuable testing ground—not just to experiment with tactics, but to gain insight into the depth of talent at his disposal ahead of more competitive fixtures on the horizon.
“These friendlies are an opportunity, not just for the team but for the individual players to demonstrate their potential,” he added. “It’s about seeing how they cope with international football, the decisions they make under pressure, and how well they adapt to our playing philosophy.”
Regarding the opposition, Broos dismissed the notion that either Tanzania or Mozambique should be underestimated, noting that both teams participated in the Africa Cup of Nations last year and are working towards World Cup qualification.
“They are certainly not the strongest sides in Africa, but they’re far from being the weakest. Both countries qualified for the last AFCON, and Mozambique in particular is positioning itself well for next year’s World Cup campaign,” Broos explained. “So, these matches will give us solid challenges. That’s exactly what we need to properly evaluate our players.”
The South African Football Association has framed these matches as essential building blocks in the national team’s long-term planning, particularly as they gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and future continental competitions.
With the spotlight now on a new generation of players, Broos hopes these games will provide clarity on who is ready to step up and wear the national colours with consistency and purpose.
“These games are about discovering who can grow with the team moving forward,” said Broos. “It’s not about pressuring the newcomers. It’s about giving them the stage to show what they can offer.”
South Africa last faced Tanzania in a competitive fixture during the 2019 COSAFA Cup, while the upcoming meeting marks a fresh opportunity for both teams to assess their preparations under minimal stakes—but with maximum attention from their respective coaching staff.
