Bafana Bafana v Panama: Date, Kickoff time, Venue, TV channel

Bafana Bafana will face the Central American country in two international friendly matches that will be played at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium and DHL Cape Town Stadium.

Having qualified for their first FIFA World Cup in 24 years, South Africa will now start their preparations for the tournament this week. The first match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, 27 March before facing the visitors in the second game in Cape Town on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos said the two matches against Panama will be crucial in his build-up to the tournament and he expects the visitors to test the hosts in Durban and in Cape Town.

“It was the right decision to choose Panama to play two international games here in South Africa. We will learn a lot about the middle American style of playing football,” he said.

Bafana to host Panama in two friendlies

The Belgian coach said results were not as important against the Central Americans.

“The result is not that important, but I do not want to have two defeats or big defeats. We have to learn about those kinds of countries. But on the hand I also want to see the Bafana Bafana I saw in the last three years. This was something we lost during the recent Africa Cup of Nations and we have to restore it, and that is why there are a few changes in our selections,” Broos added.

Panama are ranked in the top 35 in the world and will ultimately bring their A-game against Bafana Bafana.

A win for Broos’men will not only give them confidence but also improve their rankings ahead of the World Cup, which kicks off in just under three months.

The first friendly match played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium will kick off at 19:30. The Cape Town match on Tuesday will start at 19:30.

Will Bafana win both friendlies?