Broos looks to continue Bafana evolution with Mambas friendly

South Africa national team coach Hugo Broos is looking to continue Bafana Bafana’s evolution, as they take on Mozambique in an international friendly, set for the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on the evening of Tuesday, 10 June 2025. Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT.

Bafana played out a somewhat disjointed 0-0 draw with Tanzania in Polokwane on Friday evening – a match in which neither the hosts nor the Taifa Stars were able to find the necessary cohesiveness and creativity to break down their opponent’s defence.

It was, nonetheless, a valuable opportunity for Broos to run the rule over a number of new players – especially in the absence of Mamelodi Sundowns regulars, who are gearing up for their participation in the Fifa Club World Cup, which kicks off this coming weekend.

Bafana Bafana squad for the International friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique.#BafanaPride@SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/HJHtOF1eUo

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) May 29, 2025

Deano van Rooyen, Khulumani Ndamane, Simphiwe Selepe and Tshepang Moremi all had their first senior national team starts, while Renaldo Leaner and Mohau Nkota debuted off the bench.

“After every game, we give jerseys to players who were earning their first cap and we gave about eight after this match,” said Broos. “And that means we had a new team with players who never played together at the national team before.

“For sure we wanted to win and we could have won because we had some chances but I said it before: the game result is not important.

“The performance was more important and I am happy with what I saw.

“Don’t think if you bring 23 players together it is easy, we also had an opponent that was not easy and played behind the ball and to try to be dangerous on transition.

“As far as I can remember, there was no chance for Tanzania [on Friday], there was nothing. I couldn’t ask for more, I am happy with the performance of some players.

“There were others it could have been better but it was for the first time and I can’t be hard on them because the discipline was there.

“First half was there but the structure was a little bit out of the team in the second half. I saw what I wanted to see and that is the most important thing.”

STRONG OPPONENTS

Broos will hope to see this development continue against Mozambique – strong opponents who will be present at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco late this year, and have also performed well in their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign thus far.

“We are here to represent the national team, regardless of the type of game. Of course, the mister [head coach Chiquinho Conde] has always been saying that there is no [friendly] game. I hope Mozambique comes out victorious,” said South African-based defender Edmilson Dove of Kaizer Chiefs.

In head-to-head stats, SA and Mozambique have met in 12 matches down the years, with Bafana Bafana claiming seven wins compared to three for the Mambas (plus two draws).

The teams’ most recent meeting was technically just last midweek in the COSAFA Cup – though those were ‘B’ squads – with the Mambas winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Antonio Sumbane.

The last time Bafana and Mozambique met in an ‘A’ match was a friendly in November 2022 at the Mbombela Stadium which the hosts won 2-1, with a brace from Bongokuhle Hlongwane.