Bafana Bafana take on Eswatini in the first of two friendly matches taking place over the FIFA international break.
Hugo Broos’s team face Eswatini at the Orlando Stadium on Friday ahead of travelling to take on Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Tuesday.
Broos announced his final squad for the upcoming friendlies last week but has been forced to select a weakened side following a number of injuries.
Bathusi Aubaas, Thapelo Morena, Innocent Maela and Thapelo Maseko are all sidelined, while Orlando Pirates’ Monnapule Saleng withdrew due to illness and was replaced with Khanyisa Mayo, while an unavailable Percy Tau’s spot was filled by Mduduzi Mdantsane.
South Africa are currently on a nine-match unbeaten streak, winning six matches and draw three.
𝐁𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄
— #UNPLAYABLE (@UnplayableZA) October 9, 2023
Percy Tau has withdrawn from the #Bafana squad due to "personal reasons".
Mduduzi Mdantsane takes his place. #UNPLAYABLE pic.twitter.com/KxdfQy1PTu
They last overcame the Democratic Republic of the Congo 1-0 in September with Burnley striker Lyle Foster on target.
Eswatini, meanwhile, drew 0-0 with Burkino Faso in their last outing.
Ahead of the game, Eswatini coach Dominic Kunene said in the Times Newspaper: “We believe in all emaSwati that they can do the job when called in the national team and trust that the players will make the country proud.”
South Africa will use these friendlies are preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda in November.
Broos added in the Citizen: “First we have Eswatini, we thought this was the best preparation for the November qualifiers.
“These should be teams playing the same way, they (Rwanda and Benin) will not be teams trying to win, they will be trying not to lose, so it is good preparation.
“The Ivory Coast is a totally different match. It is more (geared) towards the AFCON, we are playing a strong team and they are in their home environment. It will be like being in the Afcon with a full stadium, a fantastic atmosphere against a good team. So I am very happy with the two opponents.”
𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗗#Bafana 🆚️ Eswatini @ FNB Stadium on Friday. Kick off 18h00.#UNPLAYABLE pic.twitter.com/AquSULkMSF
— #UNPLAYABLE (@UnplayableZA) October 9, 2023
