Photo by Emilio Garcia on Unsplash

As part of their final preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) later this year, Bafana Bafana will face Zambia in an international friendly match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, 15 November 2025. The South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed the fixture this week, with kick-off that is set for 15:00 CAT. Ticketing information will be announced in the upcoming days.

For fans who are planning to follow the match and possibly place wagers, you might find it useful to explore credit card betting insights before game day. Having a full understanding of how to manage deposits, withdrawals, and limits is important for anyone who is betting online with a Mastercard or Visa. Setting deposit caps, reading bonus terms, and watching out for any hidden fees are simple steps that you can take to keep the experience both safe and enjoyable, especially with live odds that typically shift during international fixtures like this one. With excitement building even further, thanks to Coach Hugo Broos announcing his final 23-man squad for the friendly match, both fans and bettors have a lot to look forward to.

Coach Broos chose to stick with the core group that helped secure South Africa’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams once again captains the side, supported by Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss. Regulars such as Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, and Bathusi Aubaas headline the midfield, while Orlando Pirates’ Masindi Nemtajela receives his first senior call-up after impressing domestically.

There were also some notable omissions. Relebohile Mofokeng misses out due to form and injury concerns, while Mduduzi Shabalala was left out despite a standout performance for Kaizer Chiefs earlier in the week. Broos’ defensive core remains largely unchanged, though Fawaaz Basadien and Siyabonga Ngezana were not included. The Belgian coach went for continuity instead of experimentation, viewing this match as an important step in his final tune-up before AFCON.

The upcoming match with Zambia means more than just another friendly for Bafana Bafana. For Broos and his players, this game will serve as a timely check on form and discipline. The coach has repeatedly emphasized structure and defensive organization as the foundation of the team’s progress. Training sessions leading up to the match have been focused on transitions, compact defending, and finishing under pressure, areas that will be crucial when they face top African teams next month. The match also gives peripheral players a final chance to prove their skills to Broos before the squad travels to Morocco.

On the other side, this match is just as significant for Zambia since it will give them a chance to test their progress against one of the continent’s top teams. Currently in the midst of reshaping their squad, Chipolopolo is blending experienced internationals with younger home-based players. With a 2-1 result in their last matchup, their victory over South Africa still lingers, which adds a layer of competitiveness to this rematch. Both squads are deep in preparation mode, and a fast, physical match in Gqeberha should give the coaches exactly what they need before December’s fixtures.

Built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and seating around 42,000 spectators, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was chosen as the host venue. The venue choice fits SAFA’s habit of moving around different fixtures in the country so that more supporters get to see their favorite teams play live. It’s also good news for Gqeberha’s tourism scene, with hotels filling up and local businesses gearing up for a busy weekend. The Eastern Cape has always been a big fan of football, and a big, noisy crowd is expected on matchday.

The friendly’s timing couldn’t be better, with AFCON just around the corner. Taking place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, this match marks the final international window before AFCON. South Africa is drawn in Group B and will face Angola (22 Dec), Egypt (26 Dec), and Zimbabwe (29 Dec). The friendly against Zambia gives Broos one last opportunity to tweak structure, fitness, and finishing before competitive action begins.

For both teams, this is more than just a tune-up. For Bafana Bafana, it’s about maintaining rhythm and consistency ahead of Morocco. On the other hand, for Zambia, it’s a chance to measure progress against a continental rival. As Gqeberha readies for kick-off, one thing is certain: this will be the final test before Africa’s biggest stage.