Bafana Bafana to Test AFCON Readiness Against Ghana’s Black Galaxies
The Bafana Bafana of South Africa have billed a friendly against the Ghana’s homebased Stars, the Black Galaxies to test their mettle ahead of their participation in the African Cup of Nations in Morocco this month.
With the Black Stars not qualifying for the competition, it will be impossible for South Africa to play them this month because it is not a FIFA sanctioned international window, and have to settle with the Galaxies.
The friendly is scheduled for December 16 with the venue yet to be communicated. Though a non-competitive match, the encounter promises the intensity and quality that have come to define meetings between the two footballing nations.
Black Galaxies see the friendly as a crucial opportunity to evaluate emerging local talent while South Africa sees the friendly as fine-tune tactical approaches ahead of the 2025 AFCON tournament . For the Black Galaxies, the match offers a platform for players to stake their claim for future senior national team call-ups.
The technical handlers have blended experienced domestic stars with exciting new prospects eager to impress.
Bafana Bafana, meanwhile, arrive with greater expectations. With several young players pushing for recognition, the South African technical team is expected to use the match to test depth, experiment with formations, and observe how their squad reacts against teams in the AFCON tournament.
The fixture also rekindles a growing football rivalry between Ghana and South Africa. Recent years have produced competitive clashes at various levels, and while December’s meeting is friendly in name, both sides are known for their fierce competitive spirit.
Fans can expect a balanced contest—Ghana’s physicality, midfield creativity, and quick transitions against South Africa’s structured build-up play, speed on the wings, and tactical discipline. With both squads motivated and hungry to prove a point, the match is shaping up to be an exciting year-end highlight on the African football calendar.
As December 19 approaches, anticipation continues to build. For the players, it’s a chance to shine; for the coaches, a moment to assess and refine; and for supporters, a final festive treat before the turn of the start of Africa’s greatest football festive season