This week, Bafana Bafana embark on their journey to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, to be held in Morocco.
The South African team is buoyed by their recent success, having secured a bronze medal at the last edition by defeating DR Congo in the third-place playoff.
Hugo Broos' squad has also performed well in World Cup qualifiers, and their morale is high.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Bafana have dominated their encounters with Uganda since 2004, winning all four matches, including a penalty shootout victory in the 2019 COSAFA Cup.
Notably, the last match between the two teams was Broos' first game in charge in 2021, played at Orlando Stadium, the same venue for the upcoming fixture.
Bafana secured a 3-2 victory in that match, with Evidence Makgopa scoring a brace and Bongokuhle Hlongwane adding another goal.
RECENT FORM
Broos' side won their last match 3-1 against Zimbabwe in World Cup qualifiers, following a 1-1 draw against Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Uganda suffered a home defeat to Algeria after a 1-0 victory over Botswana.
BROOS – ‘I KNOW UGANDA COACH VERY WELL'
Bafana coach Hugo Broos has stated that they won't be playing fancy football against the “athletic” Ugandan team.
He admitted it won’t be easy for them, knowing Uganda coach Joseph Paul Put who is his countryman (from Belgium).
“I have already said that you can’t always win games by playing good football, and perhaps against Uganda it will be such a game,” Broos said.
“I know the coach of Uganda (Joseph Paul Put) very well because he’s from Belgium. He’s a good coach, so it won’t be easy for us.
“But if we can find the good mentality – like we have shown it in very difficult situations – we can count on it when we need it in such games.
“If we can’t find the solution by winning the game through playing good football, then hopefully we can go to our mentality – that is fighting.
“Uganda is a very athletic team, big guys with big hearts, fighting for every ball. It won’t be different on Friday. It’s up to us to compete against that as well.
“Quality-wise we are the better team but that won’t be enough on Friday. I am confident, though, that we can win games with a good mentality.”
TIME AND WHERE TO WATCH
The match will take place on Friday, 6 August at Orlando Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 6 PM. It will be televised on SABC Sport.
Bafana Bafana Squad
Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams who made history by being one of the 10 goalkeepers nominated for the prestigious Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or awards will missing the two qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan due to injury and Themba Zwane has been named as captain in his Sundowns team mate's absence.
However it remains to be seen who will Hugo Broos pick to start in goals with Veli Mothwa, Ricardo Goss and Sipho Chaine all in contention.
Possible Starting Line-up: Chaine, Mudau, Modiba, Ngezana, Kekana, Mokoena, Sithole, Zwane, Appollis, Mokwana, Foster
Uganda Cranes Squad
Goalkeepers: Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago (Venda FC, South Africa)
Defenders: Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren FC, Scotland), James Begisa (URA FC, Uganda), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (FC Sloven Liberec, Czech Republic), Joseph Ochaya (Al Mokawloon Al Arab SC, Egypt), Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta Anorthosis, Greece), Elio Capradossi (Unattached), Halid Lwaliwa (Al Ain, Saudi Arabia), Arnold Odongo (SC Villa, Uganda), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africaine, Tunisia)
Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Yanga Africans, Tanzania), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin II FC, USA), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek SC, Egypt), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC, Uganda)
Forwards: Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Joackiam Ojera (Al Mokawloon Al Arab Sc, Uganda), Muhammad Shaban (Al Hilal Benghazi, Libya), Steven Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania), Calvin Kabuye (Sandvikens IF, Sweden), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Rogers Mato (FC Brera Strumica, North Macedonia)
