Hugo Broos's Bafana Bafana side will be aiming to continue their recent winning form against Andorra in the inaugural FIFA Series at the 19 May 1956 Stadium on Thursday.
Andorra 13/1 Draw 44/10 South Africa 1/5 Andorra
Despite their lowly FIFA ranking and poor form, Andorra will see this match as an opportunity to gain experience and potentially improve against a Bafana Bafana side that overachieved at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Facing a South Africa side, that clinched a bronze medal at the continental showpiece, will be an uphill proposition for Andorra with their recent record of no wins in their last five matches.
The match serves as a platform for Andorra to test themselves against stronger opposition and work on their weaknesses. It’s also an opportunity for players to gain valuable experience and for the coaching staff to analyse the team’s performance and make necessary adjustments for tougher challenges ahead, as they are due to face Bolivia and Spain.
South Africa
Bafana’s decision to change their squad for the upcoming friendly matches shows a strategic approach by coach Broos to assess new talent and give opportunities to players who may not have featured in the recent AFCON tournament.
This allows the coach to evaluate the depth of the squad and explore alternative options ahead of FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June and Afcon qualifiers at a later stage.
Despite changes to the squad, Bafana remain favourites given their higher world ranking and momentum following a successful AFCON tournament.
The inclusion of players like Khanyisa Mayo, Iqraam Rayeners, Bruce Vuma, Tapelo Xoki, Patrick Maswanganyi, Goodman Mosele, and Mlondi Mbanjwa presents an opportunity for these individuals to showcase their abilities and make a case for regular selection in the national team.
Considering Andorra’s underwhelming performance and their recent struggles, this match serves as an ideal opportunity for the new players to demonstrate their capabilities and contribute to a successful outcome for Bafana.
However, the team needs to remain focused and not underestimate their opponents, as any international friendly match can cause an upset. With also FIFA World Cup qualifiers taking place in June coach Broos will want to have a strong squad for that and this is the time for the team to jell well.
Verdict
Bafana shouldn’t find it hard to beat the struggling Andorra and they will win both halves of the game. Tip South Africa to win with over 2,5 goals at 7/10 is a bet of the day on Thursday.
