As preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Hugo Broos and his South Africa national soccer team are set to face CONCACAF outfit Panama national football team in two international friendlies between March 27 and 31. Both matches will be staged on home soil, with venues yet to be confirmed.
The fixtures form part of Bafana Bafana’s broader build-up to the global showpiece, offering the technical team an opportunity to fine-tune combinations, assess squad depth, and sharpen tactical approaches. However, the decision to schedule consecutive matches against the same opponent has raised eyebrows in local football circles.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Matthew Booth has openly questioned the logic behind the arrangement. Booth, who earned over 30 caps for South Africa during his playing days, expressed surprise at the move.
“It’s a bit strange. I don’t recall playing the same team twice in quick succession. It rarely happens. I’m not sure what the thinking there is,” Booth said, repeating his concern over the unusual scheduling.
While back-to-back fixtures can allow a coaching staff to experiment with tactical variations against a familiar opponent, critics argue that facing different styles of play may better prepare the squad for the diversity they are likely to encounter at World Cup level.
With the March window fast approaching, attention will now turn to how Broos utilizes the opportunity. Whether the double-header proves to be a calculated strategy or a missed chance for broader exposure will only become clear once Bafana Bafana step onto the pitch.
The post Booth Questions SAFA’s Decision to Schedule Back-to-Back Friendlies Against Panama first appeared on Africa Top Sports.
