South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will face Uganda’s Cranes this Friday in a critical 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the historic Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
The setting itself carries powerful symbolism.
Named after South African icon Nelson Mandela in 1997, the stadium also hosted a performance by South African reggae legend Lucky Dube during its renaming—a tribute to the enduring ties between the two nations.
The match marks only Bafana Bafana’s second visit to Kampala, with their first in October 2004 drawing a record-breaking 50,000 fans, despite the stadium’s official capacity of 42,000.
South Africa won that 2006 World Cup qualifier 1-0, thanks to Benni McCarthy’s goal from the penalty spot.
Uganda and South Africa’s last meeting, a September 2025 AFCON qualifier in Johannesburg, ended in an exciting 2-2 draw.
With Uganda currently topping Group K with 10 points, a point would cement their qualification, but South Africa is close behind, seeking crucial points to advance.
This upcoming game is not only a high-stakes showdown for both teams but also an event rich with cultural and historical resonance.
