Revealed: The next opponent for Bafana Bafana before World Cup date with Mexico

Bafana Bafana are set for another international friendly game a couple of days before facing Mexico in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11.

On Friday, South Africa faced Nicaragua in another build-up game that was staged at the Orlando Amstel Arena. Despite their dominance, Hugo Broos’ men just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net as the Blue and White resorted to employing a low-block tactic. The fixture, eventually, ended 0-0, much to the frustration of the supporters.

This is now a third consecutive friendly game, after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), that Bafana Bafana have gone without a win despite playing at home. They drew 1-1 before losing 2-1 to Panama in the initial back-to-back assignment a couple of months ago.

With the World Cup around the corner, coach Broos has now revealed the next hurdle for his men in preparation for the prestigious global competition.

Who will Bafana Bafana play before the World Cup?

“We have another game on the 5th June against Jamaica. I hope than that opponent will play football against us and that can be the first indication of the squad that will start against Mexico,” the 74-year-old said in his interview with the national broadcaster.

“Surely, I think we can be happy about the performance of the team [especially] when you play against such a negative opponent than it becomes very difficult.

“Those people came here 90 minutes and defend, kicking the ball in front and then at the end injuries, one minute after the other so yeah it was all very negative and for us very difficult,” Broos told SABC Sport post-match.

“Yes, we missed a penalty when we score there, I think we can score more goals also because then they will try something, but then the opponent didn’t try anything today except defending,” Broos concluded.