South Africa's Bafana Bafana held Panama to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday, marking the start of their final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Oswin Appollis equalised three minutes into the second half after Panama took an early lead.
South Africa made a satisfactory start to the final phase of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by holding Panama to a 1-1 draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in the first of two international friendlies.
Panama, ranked 34th in the world, scored first in the 23rd minute. Oswin Appollis equalised for the home side, ranked 60th, three minutes into the second half.
It was a morale-boosting result for Bafana Bafana following a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they were knocked out in the round of 16.
The Bafana Bafana official Twitter account posted at the end: "And so it ends at the Moses Mabhida Stadium #BafanaPride" with tags #BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @adidasfootball @adidasZA @SABC_Sport.
The two teams will meet again in Cape Town on Tuesday.
