DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania’s national football team, the Taifa Stars, is ready to take on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in what’s shaping up to be an electrifying international friendly tonight at Polokwane’s Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Though billed as a friendly, neither side is treating this as just a casual warm-up. With the 2024 COSAFA Cup looming, both teams see this match as a crucial chance to sharpen their tactics before the tournament kicks off.
For the Taifa Stars, this is more than just a test run—it’s a vital opportunity to fine-tune their game ahead of their Group C battles against Eswatini and Madagascar.
"We, as the TFF and as a team, are fully prepared and ready to compete," said James Mhagama, Executive Committee Member of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and Head of Delegation. "When you get an invitation like this, it’s not just for show—it’s business. We’re here to prove ourselves."
This year marks Tanzania’s first COSAFA Cup appearance since 2017, and despite past struggles against Madagascar and Eswatini, the Stars are determined to turn the tide this time around.
On the other side, Bafana Bafana’s head coach, Hugo Broos, is using this match to assess his squad’s depth. With an eye on long-term development, the Belgian tactician sees these friendlies—against Tanzania and Mozambique—as key opportunities to test emerging talent.
"Winning is important, but what matters most is seeing how the new players perform," Broos said. "There’s no pressure—just football. After these games, we’ll evaluate and adjust."
With regular captain Ronwen Williams absent due to Club World Cup commitments, defender Nkosinathi Sibisi will take the armband. Broos warned against underestimating Tanzania and Mozambique, saying, "Both teams played at AFCON last year, and Mozambique are pushing hard for World Cup qualification. These won’t be easy games."