Even though Bafana Bafana lost to Panama on Tuesday night, coach Hugo Broos was content with the performance of his side, saying that the two-match series against the Central Americans was a beneficial test for the team.
The friendly international matches were used to finetune the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the US, Mexico, and Canada in June.
Both South Africa and Panama have qualified for the biggest sporting event in the world.
Bafana were beaten 2-1 by Panama in front of jam-packed Cape Town Stadium, which was Broos’ first loss at home since he took over as head coach in 2021.
Overpowered with speed and power
After the match, Broos explained that they need another friendly match in the next FIFA calendar opening in May.
“The first half was excellent, and we created several chances, but we did not score,” Broos said after the match.
“In the second half, we were overpowered by Panama with more speed and more power, and we could not play our game anymore.
“The two games were a beneficial test for us, and now we know more about international opponents and football from other continents. I am pleased we played the game against Panama.”
Broos continued: “The goal of the two matches was to evaluate some players and test combinations for future use.
“I noticed some things that I did not know before the matches. We played those players to see what we will do in the future, and it was very interesting. Another friendly match is needed in June.
“I am not sure which team will play against us; I would like to play European opponents or an Asian team because we are drawn against them in the World Cup.”
Bafana regretted the missed opportunities they created but failed to convert into goals during the match.
Mbokazi’s thunderous strike
The two nations drew 1-1 in the first match at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium last Friday.
Jose Cordoba opened the scoring for the Central American side in the 59th minute, but US-based Mbekezeli Mbokazi equalised with a thunderous strike that rattled the back of the net in the 64th minute.
The celebrations did not last long as Jiovany Ramos scored the winner for the visitors in the 77th minute.
Broos went on to say that the team would work on fixing the problem in the weeks leading up to the World Cup.
“This issue is about the players’ confidence and is something we need to work on. When you get the chances we got today and last Friday, it is a little too much to miss them all.
“I think in the two games we had 10 chances and we only scored twice. That tally is not enough.
“You can work on it, but it’s difficult to do so [fully] because the players leave tomorrow and I won’t see them until the end of May,” he said.
- South Africa's Bafana Bafana lost 2-1 to Panama in a friendly match at Cape Town Stadium, marking coach Hugo Broos' first home loss since 2021.
- The two-match series against Panama served as preparation and player evaluation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
- Broos praised the first half but noted the team was overpowered by Panama's speed and power in the second half, highlighting the need for further improvements.
- Bafana missed several goal-scoring opportunities across both games, with Broos emphasizing the need to boost player confidence and efficiency before the World Cup.
- Broos called for another friendly match against European or Asian opponents in the next FIFA window to better prepare for World Cup group stage competition.
Even though Bafana Bafana lost to Panama on Tuesday night, coach Hugo Broos was content with the performance of his side, saying that the two-match series against the Central Americans was a beneficial test for the team.
Bafana were beaten 2-1 by Panama in front of jam-packed Cape Town Stadium, which was Broos’ first loss at home since he took over as head coach in 2021.
After the match, Broos explained that they need another friendly match in the next FIFA calendar opening in May.
“
"In the second half, we were overpowered by Panama with more speed and more power, and we could not play our game anymore.
"
Broos continued: "
"I noticed some things that I did not know before the matches. We played those players to see what we will do in the future, and it was very interesting.
"I am not sure which team will play against us; I would like to play European opponents or an Asian team because we are drawn against them in the World Cup.”
Bafana regretted the missed opportunities they created but failed to convert into goals during the match.
Jose Cordoba opened the scoring for the Central American side in the 59th minute, but US-based
Broos went on to say that the team would work on fixing the problem in the weeks leading up to the World Cup.
"
"I think in the two games we had 10 chances and we only scored twice.
"You can work on it, but it's difficult to do so [fully] because the players leave tomorrow and I won't see them until the end of May," he said.
