Bafana Bafana claimed a 1-0 victory over Ghana’s Black Galaxies in the team’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) send-off at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday.
The AFCON-bound hosts faced Ghana’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) side, consisting of players based in the country as it prepares for CHAN qualifying.
Coach Hugo Broos opted to leave many of his regular starters on the bench, including usual captain Ronwen Williams, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Oswin Appolis, Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena.
Orlando Pirates’ Nkosinathi Sibisi donned the captain’s armband for a second time, while Thabang Matuludi was given his first start in national-team colours.
Evidence Makgopa used his strength and control well in the Ghanaian box in the ninth minute, finding Tshepang Moremi, but the Buccaneer could not find the goal from a tough angle.
In the 11th minute, Sipho Mbule nearly put the hosts ahead from Mohau Nkota’s free kick, but his header travelled narrowly wide of the goal posts.
Bafana Bafana broke into the Ghanaian box in the 22nd minute through Moremi, who attempted to pull the ball back for Nkota.
The winger could not reach it and Mbule’s clean-up effort travelled wide.
---- NIGERIA ONLY ----
Moremi produced a moment of magic on the edge of the area in the 40th minute, dancing past three defenders, but he could not find the back of the net.
After a goalless first half, the hosts came out with intent in the second half.
In the 53rd minute, substitute Teboho Mokoena’s well struck long-range effort flew over the bar.
Mbule broke the deadlock in the 57th minute with a well placed strike from the edge of the box, beating Ghanaian goalkeeper Lawrence Osei.
The Black Galaxies came alive in the 76th minute, as Prince Owusu cut onto his left foot and attempted to curl the ball into the top-right left corner, but fired his shot wide.
In the 77th minute, substitute Rudolf Mensah beat Khulumani Ndamane to the ball and clipped the left post, narrowly missing an opportunity to bring the visitors level.
Substitute Bafana goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was called into action in the 85th minute as he was forced to tip the ball over the bar, preventing an equaliser.
Bafana Bafana will head into the continental showpiece with a win under their belt as the team is set to travel to Morocco on Wednesday.
This is how it ends at Dobsonville stadium this afternoon.
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) December 16, 2025
We depart for Morocco on Wednesday, 17 December 2025 to continue our preparations ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.#BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @CastleLagerSA @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/mXRZDqLE5Q
South Africa (0) 1 (Mbule 57’)
Ghana 0
SOUTH AFRICA: R. Goss (S. Chaine 46’), A. Modiba, N. Sibisi, K. Ndamane, T. Matuludi, B. Aubaas, T. Mbatha (T. Mokoena 46’), S. Mbule (R. Mofokeng 63’), T. Moremi (E. Mokwana 63’), M. Nkota (O. Appollis 46’), E. Makgopa
GHANA: L. Osei, K. Mamudu (L. Amoah 70’), I. Afful, R. Simpson, E. Abban, S. Adams, E. Dogli, P. Owusu, N. Kusi Asante, S. Seidu (E. Abban 71’), E. Annor (R. Mensah 71’)