Bafana opponents to be unveiled

The South African Football Association (Safa) will on Friday, 6 March unveil the long-awaited opponents for Bafana Bafana at a Press Conference at Safa House.

Six-time African champions Egypt are reported to be a possibility but there was also talk of a Nigeria match-up on March 28. But Safa has since poured cold water over reports of a Nigeria match.

The announcement scheduled for 11am will also coincide with the programme of the Under-23s who are preparing for the Olympic qualifiers. Coach Owen da Gama will spell out a detailed programme regarding the under-23s at the same function.

“The long wait is over. We will announce who Bafana Bafana will play at the end of this month. We will also take the opportunity to give out details about the U23s' upcoming programme,” said Safa president Dr Danny Jordaan.

The Safa President said Friday’s announcement will underscore the association’s drive to mould all of South Africa’s national teams into continental powerhouses and world-beaters.

“Banyana Banyana are in Cyprus taking part in the annual Cyprus Women’s tournament in preparation for the All Africa games and Olympic qualifiers, the U20s are in Senegal to compete in the African Junior championships and would aim to emulate Amajimbos (national U17 men’s national team) who returned home as silver medallists on Tuesday.”

The U17 squad returned from the Caf U17 African Youth Championships in Niger on Tuesday, 3 March as continental runners-up and Dr Jordaan said he was satisfied with the progress of South Africa’s national teams but emphasised more needed to be done.

“As we prepare to announce Bafana Bafana’s next opponents on Friday, we are mindful of the goals the association set itself under the objective of Vision 2022. While we are on track to achieve those goals, we would like to expedite the process by pitting out national teams against high calibre opponents in a bid to be among the best on the continent and the world,” said Dr Jordaan.