As South Africa prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, they are scheduled to play friendlies against Eswatini and Ivory Coast in October, Soccernet.ng reports.
The South African Football Association has announced an international double header for Saturday 23 October.
The FA has also announced the names of 36 players who will take part in these important friendlies. Head coach Hugo Bruce is expected to narrow down the list to a final 23 players and form the squad for upcoming matches.
There will be a duel between South Africa and Eswatini on October 13th, followed just four days later by a head-to-head showdown with Ivory Coast. These matches are important training opportunities for the South African team under the watchful eye of his coach Bruce Bruce.
In the same month, Nigeria will play Saudi Arabia in an international friendly.
Please note that the Super Eagles will face South Africa in matchday 3 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June 2024.
The second leg of this match on South African soil is scheduled for September 2025.
Both countries hope to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup as they missed out on the last tournament.
South Africa’s path to the FIFA World Cup has been fraught with some disappointments, including hosting the World Cup in 2010 and then missing the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
Nigeria also missed out on the 2022 World Cup, losing to Ghana’s Black Stars in the playoffs.
South Africa and Nigeria are also eyeing the 2023 African Cup of Nations, scheduled to be held in Ivory Coast.
