WeeklySA_AdminWARM-UP: Bafana Bafana face Ghana’s locally based Black Galaxies in a Soweto friendly on Tuesday – a final dress rehearsal before flying to Morocco for 2025 AFCON…
By Masoja Cele
Bafana Bafana will face Ghana’s Black Galaxies in an international friendly at Dobsonville Stadium, Soweto, on December 16nas Hugo Broos’ side completes its final preparations ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Weekly SA Mirror has learned from a reliable source that Ghana will not field their senior national team for the fixture. Instead, the West Africans will deploy their B side, known as the Black Galaxies — a team made up exclusively of locally based players preparing for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers.
While AFCON showcases Africa’s strongest national teams, including Europe-based stars, CHAN is reserved for players competing in their domestic leagues. The competition serves as a developmental platform for local talent and a pathway to senior international recognition.
As such, Tuesday’s encounter carries different objectives for the two teams. Bafana will use the match as a final tune-up ahead of AFCON, while Ghana will view it as a crucial preparatory exercise for their upcoming CHAN campaign.
Kick-off is scheduled for 16:00.
The match could see debuts for South Africa’s new recruits, Shandre Campbell and Tylon Smith, both of whom were included in Broos’ AFCON squad. Their potential first appearances will be closely watched as the coach assesses depth and combinations ahead of the continental showpiece.
Broos is expected to field a strong lineup, with regulars such as Teboho Mokoena, Khuliso Modau, Lyle Foster, Oswin Appollis and Sipho Mbule all in contention to start. Attacking midfielder Mohau Nkotha, who scored in his last two outings — against Rwanda in World Cup qualifiers and Zambia in a friendly — will look to maintain his impressive form.
Given that Ghana are fielding a B side, historical head-to-head records and continental rankings against the Black Stars’ senior team are unlikely to be a true reflection of the contest’s competitive balance. The emphasis for Bafana will instead be on match sharpness, tactical cohesion and confidence-building ahead of AFCON.
One selection dilemma remains around defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi. The Orlando Pirates centre-back reportedly incurred Broos’ displeasure after arriving a day late at the national team camp. Bucs players were granted additional rest following their Carling Knockout triumph, but Mbokazi failed to report on the agreed date, citing a missed flight from Durban — an explanation the coach reportedly found unacceptable.
Whether Mbokazi features on Tuesday remains to be seen, as Broos weighs discipline against match readiness before Bafana jet out to Morocco on Wednesday.
The friendly offers one last opportunity for South Africa to fine-tune preparations before AFCON gets underway on 21 December.
