With Morocco’s 2025 AFCON tournament fast approaching, South Africa and Zambia are about to shake off the usual friendly-match energy and turn Saturday’s clash in Gqeberha into something far more serious. The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium hosts the neighbours at 3pm CAT, and the timing could not be more important. Both teams are chasing confidence, rhythm and answers before Africa’s biggest football showpiece begins in December.
Why This Friendly Feels Bigger Than A Warm-Up
In South Africa, football fans are still buzzing after Bafana Bafana booked their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The journey was chaotic at times. A tense 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe in October left supporters nervous, but a convincing 3-0 win over Rwanda just days later sealed qualification. It was a moment of pride, especially given the earlier setback of having their win over Lesotho overturned due to fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena.
The momentum is real and the expectations are high. Supporters on social media have not forgotten how the national team turned things around under Hugo Broos, and Saturday now feels like the next checkpoint.
Zambia arrives with a very different storyline. Their qualifying run delivered only three wins from eight matches. The wheels came off towards the end, with defeats to Niger and a worrying trend of failing to score at home. A coaching change followed, with Moses Sichone stepping in after Avram Grant’s three-year tenure ended in frustration. Zambian fans have been vocal online, calling for sharper tactics and a more fearless approach ahead of AFCON.
Broos Lays Down The Law
If anyone thought Hugo Broos would soften the mood because this is a friendly, the Belgian has made himself crystal clear.
“For me this is not a friendly game,” he insisted. “I want to see again the Bafana Bafana I saw in the last months and years. A team with good mentality, fighting for every metre.”
This match is also his final opportunity to assess new faces. Masindi Nemtajela and Keletso Makgalwa have earned first-time call-ups, a massive moment for the young players. But notable omissions, including Relebohile Mofokeng and Siyabonga Ngezana, show Broos is carefully managing fatigue and planning a long-term AFCON strategy.
Zambia Looks To Reset Under Sichone
The Chipolopolo camp is calmer now, but the pressure is unmistakable. Moses Sichone inherits a team that lost five qualifiers and struggled to find the net. Yet there is genuine optimism around his leadership. He knows the squad well, and Zambian fans hope he brings back the spark that once made Chipolopolo one of Africa’s most unpredictable forces.
What This Means Heading Into AFCON
This is more than a warm-up. For South Africa, it is a chance to reinforce the belief that took them to the World Cup. For Zambia, it is the beginning of a reset under new management. And for both sets of supporters, it is a preview of the hunger, tension and excitement that AFCON always brings.
Saturday feels like the start of something. Whether it becomes a warning shot or a wake-up call will be decided in Gqeberha.
Source: SuperSport
Image Source: SoccerLaduma on X
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