With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming, Hugo Broos insists Panama are the ideal test for Bafana Bafana.
South Africa face the Central Americans in Durban on 27 March and Cape Town on 31 March — two friendlies designed to sharpen combinations and restore confidence after a flat AFCON campaign.
“It was the right decision to choose Panama… The result is not that important, but I do not want two defeats,” Broos said, stressing the need to experiment without losing identity.
New call-ups Ime Okon and Renaldo Leaner joined camp in Pretoria, while foreign-based stars and Sundowns’ CAF Champions League contingent are set to arrive later. Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Thapelo Maseko, and others will follow early this week.
For Broos, Panama’s style offers a litmus test physical, tactical, and timely, as Bafana fine-tune for the world stage.
