Bafana brace for tough Zambia test

ZAMBIA might have faced challenges in the last few years, leading to their decline, but they should give Bafana Bafana who are beginning their preparations for the upcoming AFCON in Morocco next month, a run for their money.

- MIHLALI BALEKA.

Chipolopolo were the last Cosafa region nation to win Afcon, back in 2012. But instead of building on that foundation, they’ve endured several setbacks. They exited in the group stage in the following two editions before failing to qualify for the next three tournaments.

They'll return to the biggest football stage on the continent next month. However, all is not well within the team, as they remain without a coach just weeks before the event following the departure of Avram Grant.

Bafana Bafana’s fortunes, on the other hand, have changed for the better in recent months. They qualified for Afcon and the 2026 Fifa World Cup with top finishes in the group stages, building on their podium finish in the last Afcon in Ivory Coast.

Given that Bafana will head to Morocco as one of the dark horses, they were expected to play friendlies and prepare against some of the continent’s top nations or smaller teams from abroad.