Bafana Bafana will open their COSAFA Cup campaign when they clash against Mozambique on Wednesday evening at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
COSAFA Cup
Teams: South Africa v Mozambique
Date: 26 June 2024
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Time: 15h00
Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele, who will be in charge, would not have most of the so-called best players in the country, with the traditional big three team players not included in his 23-man squad.
South Africa reached the semi-finals of the off season annual tournament but were knocked out by eventual champions Zambia, who won 2-1.
South Africa eventually finished third after beating Malawi on penalties in the third/fourth play-off game.
Mozambique, on the other hand, could not reach the knockout stages last season after finishing third in their group, two points behind leaders and eventual finalists Lesotho.
The Mambas are high on confidence after back-to-back wins over Somalia and Guinea in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which put them equal on points with leaders Algeria.
The last time the sides met in the tournament was two years ago after Mozambique edged Bafana on penalties in the quarter-finals after a goalless draw.
Here's how they line up:
South Africa: Mpoto, Modise, Matuludi, Moloisane, Dortley, Poggenpoel, Kwayiba, Brooks, Sibanyoni, Velebayi, Titus
Subs: Xulu, Thikazi, Kammies, Mcaba, Mojela, ACupido, Van Wyk, Rhodes
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