Panama coach explains decision to play Bafana

Africa 27 March 2026 at 07:45

Hlayisani Magoro

News Editor

Panama national team head coach Thomas Christiansen has shed light on why they opted for Bafana Bafana as part of their 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations.

The Central American side will face South Africa at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday (19h00), before another tie at the DHL Stadium on 31 March.

Christiansen says the double-header against Hugo Broos' men will give his team a sense of what to expect when they tackle Ghana at the global showpiece.

“The reason why we chose South Africa is because we are facing Ghana in the World Cup, an African team, and there are many similar things in one team and another and that's our preparation for the World Cup,” said the Panama boss.

"The fact that we have to play two games against South Africa for me it's not a problem, it's an advantage to stay in the same place, play two games, giving time to each player to show himself. And the most important [thing] is that we can use these games for the preparation.

The Spanish mentor noted the Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns core in the Bafana set-up - a testament to the homework he and his technical team did.

“I have analysed like all the other games we have had before and we know that it will be a difficult game. They have very good players, some abroad and many local players from Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi [Sundowns],” Christiansen added.

"So, I think they have around 13 players for this call-up. So, we have analysed them how they play and that was also one of our main goals to see how they were playing for the preparation of the World Cup.

Panama have been pitted against England and Croatia, alongside Ghana in Group L of the revamped 48-team World Cup.