Bafana’s World Cup prep hit by Panama setback

South Africa suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Panama in an international friendly at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday night.

The loss extended Bafana Bafana’s winless run to three matches across all competitions and it was also Hugo Broos's first home defeat as SA coach.

Broos's side will now look to bounce back and regain momentum in their June friendly as they continue fine-tuning their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Panama, meanwhile, snapped a three-match winless streak with an impressive win and it was their first-ever victory against African side in regulation time.

The Central Americans will carry this morale boost into their next challenge — a high-profile friendly against Brazil in May — as they gear up for their own 2026 World Cup campaign.

And so it ends in Cape Town. pic.twitter.com/F5HkIXLVeS — Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 31, 2026

Los Canaleros started the match brightly, registering the first shot of the game in the third minute, but Jose Rodríguez's effort went wide of the target as Bafana Bafana survived an early scare.

South Africa gradually grew into the contest and created several promising chances. Orlando Mosquera was forced into action to deny Lyle Foster in the 34th minute, before Bongokuhle Hlongwane missed a glorious opportunity with only the goalkeeper to beat, firing wide just two minutes before halftime.

The teams went into the break with the score still 0-0.

The second half exploded into action as Jose Cordoba opened his senior international account, slotting Panama ahead 1-0 in the 58th minute after debutant keeper Renaldo Leaner had failed to cling onto a wicked deflection.

However, South Africa hit back almost instantly in style just six minutes later as teenage defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi produced a thunderbolt equaliser and smashed home his first-ever senior international goal to make it 1-1.

That stunner from Mbokazi!! pic.twitter.com/vZDa2VN41y — Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 31, 2026

Unfortunately, for the home side, they switched off defensively in the 77th minute, their marking completely failing as Jiovany Ramos tapped in from close range, allowing Panama to cling on for a 2-1 win on the night.

South Africa 1 (Mbokazi 64')

Panama 2 (Cordoba 58', Ramos 77')

South Africa: Williams (Leaner 46'), Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba, Mokoena (Mbatha 86'), Adams (Sithole 6'), Moremi (Maseko 60'), Mofokeng (Zwane 60'), Hlongwane (Appollis 60'), Foster (Makgopa 46').

Panama: Mosquera, Cordoba (Miller 70'), Ramos, Harvey, Guttierrez (Blackman 70'), Godoy (Martinez 70'), Murillo, Rodriguez (Barcenas 83'), Carrasquilla, Barria (Bajardo 46'), Díaz (Waterman 90'+1).