Sixteen years ago, South Africa stopped the country in its tracks when Siphiwe Tshabalala‘s thunderbolt lit up Soccer City during the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Tonight, history comes full circle. Bafana Bafana return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since that unforgettable tournament and, in a remarkable twist, their opening match is once again against Mexico. Kick-off is at 21:00 CAT on Thursday, with millions of South Africans expected to tune in as Hugo Broos’ men begin their Group A campaign. For many fans, it’s more than just another football match. It’s a chance to see a new generation of Bafana Bafana try to do what no South African team has ever done before: reach the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup.
When And Where Is Bafana Bafana Playing?
South Africa face Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The stadium is one of football’s most famous venues and has hosted some of the sport’s greatest moments, including World Cup triumphs by Brazil and Argentina. Kick-off is at 21:00 CAT.
Where Can You Watch The Match?
South African fans can watch the match live on SABC Plus and SuperSport TV. If you’d rather experience the atmosphere with fellow supporters, fan parks will be operating in several cities across South Africa as the country rallies behind Bafana Bafana’s return to the World Cup.
Why This Match Feels So Surreal
The parallels with 2010 are impossible to ignore. South Africa’s last World Cup matchday appearance came when they hosted the tournament and opened proceedings against Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg. The match ended 1-1 after Tshabalala’s iconic strike became the first goal scored on African soil at a FIFA World Cup.
Now, 16 years later, the same two nations meet again to kick off another World Cup journey. For younger players such as Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Relebohile Mofokeng, that famous match is something they watched as children. For supporters, it remains one of the defining moments in South African sporting history.
Meet The Coach Chasing History
At 74, Hugo Broos is preparing for one of the most remarkable chapters of his career. The Belgian coach qualified Bafana Bafana for the tournament and will become the oldest coach at this World Cup. The story becomes even more incredible when you consider that Broos played in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Four decades later, he finds himself back in the same country, facing Mexico once again, this time from the dugout. Since taking charge in 2021, Broos has transformed South Africa into one of Africa’s most organised and difficult teams to beat.
South Africa’s Group At A Glance
Bafana Bafana are in Group A alongside:
- Mexico
- South Korea
- Czech Republic
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South Africa entered the tournament as underdogs, with all three opponents ranked significantly higher in the FIFA rankings. The expanded 48-team format, however, means teams have more opportunities to advance. Finishing third in the group could still be enough to reach the knockout rounds.
The Squad Heading To The World Cup
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Five Players To Watch
Ronwen Williams
The captain remains the heartbeat of this team. His leadership, composure and shot-stopping ability have repeatedly rescued Bafana Bafana in big moments.
Teboho Mokoena
The midfield general dictates South Africa’s tempo and possesses one of the most dangerous long-range shots in African football.
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Oswin Appollis
Creative, direct and capable of producing goals and assists, Appollis has become one of Bafana’s most influential attacking players.
Relebohile Mofokeng
The Orlando Pirates star is one of the country’s most exciting young talents and could become one of the breakout players of the tournament.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi
The Chicago Fire defender represents the future of South African football and could have a major role to play against elite opposition. Mbokazi has already made global headlines after being voted into the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star First XI, underlining his rapid rise on the international stage.
What The Team Has Been Doing Ahead Of Kick-Off
@bafanabafana The hardwork continues.. 💪🏽🔥 There are NO rest days in camp! The boys are focussed for the task at hand 🎯🇿🇦🔥 #BafanaPride ♬ original sound – Bafana Bafana
If Bafana Bafana’s latest training footage is anything to go by, the squad is embracing the physical demands of the tournament. In a recent behind-the-scenes video shared on the team’s social media, players were put through a series of gym-based strength and conditioning sessions, including mobility work, resistance exercises and explosive movement drills designed to prepare them for the intensity of tournament football.
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Friday Is Now Bafana Friday
The support won’t stop after tonight’s match. South Africans are being encouraged to wear their Bafana Bafana jerseys on Fridays throughout the tournament as part of the newly launched Bafana Friday initiative. Whether you’re heading to the office, the gym, a coffee shop or your local park run, it’s a simple way to show support for the national team as they chase history on the world stage. Sixteen years after South Africa and Mexico opened the World Cup in Johannesburg, the two nations meet again tonight. This time, the stage is Mexico City, the stakes are even higher, and a new generation of Bafana stars has the opportunity to write its own chapter in South African football history.
Player Images sourced from the SAFA website.
