Bafana Bafana scripted an unwanted record ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they lost 2-1 to Panama in an international friendly match at Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday.
For a side seeking to go to the World Cup on a high, it was not the perfect outing for South Africa, who lost an official match at home for the first time under coach Hugo Broos. Even Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s sensational strike to make the scoreline 1-1 counted for nothing as Bafana went on to lose.
Broos will now have a lot to do to motivate his men to recover from Tuesday’s setback in their final run-up to the World Cup. The South Africa coach opted to start Relebohile Mofokeng in place of Themba Zwane in the playmaker role. The Belgian tactician might have also given the biggest hint of the centre-back combination he might use at the gobal tournament when Mbokazi was paired with Ime Okon.
But having Bongokuhle Hlongwane start together with Lyle Foster appeared not to work for Broos. There was anticipation to see how ex-Mamelodi Sundowns transfer target and Panama attacker Ismael Diaz would perform after he was thrust into the lineup.
Defender Andries Andrade who came on from the bench in the first match in Durban, was ruled out with a stomach bug.
BAFANA AND PANAMA FIND SCORING BOOTS AFTER GOALLESS FIRST HALF
Bafana’s handicap in the final third came to the fore after 24 minutes when Tshepang Moremi profited from a poor clearance, but took time to fire home, allowing recovery from the opponents for his shot to be blocked.
Diaz then came clear in the 29th minute but had Ronwen Williams denying him at close range after he attempted with his head. Foster could have lobbed Orlando Mosquera, but the Panama goalkeeper was alert enough to block him.
Broos night have been forced to take back his words in favour of Hlongwane in place of Iqraam Rayners after the Minnesota United striker, unmarked and facing goal inside the box, blasted his effort off target after being picked by Mofokeng with three minutes before halftime.
Allowing Jorge Gutiérrez to freely shoot towards goal five minutes after the restart might have exposed Bafana at the back. South Africa debutant Renaldo Leaner was then breached just eight minutes into the pitch.
The Sekhulhune United goalkeeper failed to clutch at first time Diaz’s strike and Jose Cordoba was quick to pounce on the rebound to hand the CONCACAF side the lead. But South Africa struck back via Mbokazi’s screamer in the 64th minute after the former Orlando Pirates defender was set up by Zwane.
However, Panama restored their lead with 13 minutes remaining after another failure to defend a setpiece allowed Jiovany Ramos to beat Leaner from close range.
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