Bafana Bafana vs Panama: Who shone for Hugo Broos’ men?

Bafana Bafana came from behind to earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Panama on Friday night at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Edgar Barcenas put the World Cup-bound CONCACAF side ahead in the 22nd minute, but Hugo Broos’s men showed the kind of grit and second-half quality that will be needed on the big stage when they face Mexico, South Korea and a yet-to-be-determined fourth nation at the 2026 World Cup.

With the second friendly in Cape Town on Tuesday, here are the five South Africans who caught the eye most.

Oswin Appollis

The Orlando Pirates man was, without question, the standout performer on the night. The Orlando Pirates winger has been the most in-form player in the current Bafana squad, having scored seven goals in just 23 caps — all of them in the last 18 months — including four in his last six appearances and a brace at AFCON 2025.

Against Panama he backed that record up fully, scoring the equaliser with a composed, lashed finish into the bottom corner after taking down Mudau’s headed knockdown. He was Bafana’s most dangerous outlet throughout, constantly driving at the Panamanian defence and threading passes into dangerous areas that kept the visitors on edge.

Khuliso Mudau 

The 30-year-old was excellent at right back and was directly involved in the goal that rescued the point. The Mamelodi Sundowns defender’s intelligent run into the box and pinpoint headed knockdown created the chance for Appollis to equalise.

Beyond that assist, Mudau was a constant attacking presence — winning corners, driving forward and delivering crosses — while remaining solid defensively. Now into his second full season as first choice at Sundowns, his composure and reading of the game on the international stage continues to grow.

Lyle Foster 

The strikekr will be frustrated not to have added to his tally of 10 goals in 28 caps, but his contribution was significant. The Burnley striker worked tirelessly against a well-organised Panama backline, holding up the ball and creating space for others.

He had two gilt-edged chances — a one-on-one before half-time that he steered just wide, and a close-range snap shot in the second half that substitute goalkeeper Mosquera did brilliantly to smother. Foster’s willingness to press high and disrupt Panama’s build-up phase set the tone for Bafana’s second-half comeback.

Themba Zwane 

The experienced 37-year-old brought his trademark calmness and vision to a midfield that at times lacked cohesion. The Sundowns veteran, Bafana’s joint-leading scorer with 12 goals in 51 caps, nearly threaded Appollis through with a perfectly weighted through ball in the first half and consistently found pockets of space between Panama’s defensive and midfield lines.

He drew fouls in dangerous positions and kept the tempo measured when Bafana needed composure.

Aubrey Modiba 

The versatile defender rounded out a strong evening at left back. The Sundowns defender — now with 45 caps and three international goals — was a constant threat from set-pieces and drove a powerful free-kick on the edge of the box that drew a fine save from Mejia before his substitution.

He balanced his attacking intent with strong defensive positioning, limiting Panama’s right flank for large stretches of the game.