2026 WCQ: South Africa arrange Ivory Coast, Eswatini friendlies for Nigeria showdown

By Wale Mustapha

Bafana Bafana of South Africa will engage in two friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Eswatini as preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Nigeria.

South African have been drawn in Group C for the World Cup qualifiers along with Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Benin, Rwanda and Lesotho and the matches will commence in November this year and will be concluded in 2025.

And Chief Executive Officer, CEO) of South Africa Football Association, SAFA Lydia Monyepao said 2010 World Cup hosts have lined up series of tune-up games put the national team to be in top shape for the qualifying duels.

“These matches are in support of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos as he continues his preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations in the beginning of next year,” Monyepao said in a statement.

“And the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November this year.”

The two friendlies have been fixed October with the Eswatini game coming first on October 13th before engaging Ivory Coast four days later

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos is expected to name his 23 man team for the two friendlies this week along the match venues and times.

On their part, Nigeria are expected to take on Saudi Arabia in a friendly match next month as their own preparation for the November encounters.