Bafana Bafana produced a dominant performance, sweeping aside Zambia 3–1 in Gqeberha in a friendly match to prepare for the AFCON 2025 tournament next month.
Oswin Appollis opened the scoring in the 41st minute, Mohau Nkota got the second on 61 minutes, before Sphephelo Sithole made it 3-0 in the 68th minute. Zambia’s Barbra Banda grabbed a consolation in the 91st minute.
BAFANA BAFANA 3-1 ZAMBIA
Coach Hugo Broos made a surprise tweak at the back, replacing the in-form Aubrey Modiba with Samukelo Kabini at left-back, while Orlando Pirates winger Tshepang Moremi came in for Mohau Nkota.
After a controlled opening half-hour, Mzansi finally broke Zambia’s resistance in the 41st minute. Sipho Mbule, comfortably the best passer on the pitch, and the Man of the Match, split the Chipolopolo midfield with a delicious through-ball that sent Oswin Appollis racing clear. The forward steadied himself and finished low past Nsabata to make it 1–0.
The second half belonged to the substitutes. Nkota arrived from the bench and immediately elevated the tempo. In the 61st minute, he combined brilliantly with Mbule, who once again produced a top-quality assist, a classy lob that Nkota controlled and buried with a perfect curl.
11 minutes later, Nkota turned provider, whipping in a perfect corner that Sphephelo Sithole attacked with full force, powering home a header to seal a convincing 3–0 victory for his first-ever goal in Bafana Bafana colours.
FOCUS ON AFCON 2025
For South Africa, the win creates higher confidence ahead of next month’s AFCON in Morocco. Broos’ side have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and enter the continental showpiece with a clear mission: improve on last year’s third-place finish and chase their first title since 1996.
Zambia, meanwhile, will return home knowing Group A at AFCON, which includes Morocco, Mali and Comoros. Bafana Bafana will be in Group B with Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe.
Also read: Top 5: Bafana Bafana’s most-capped players of all time
