TANZANIA’s national football team, Taifa Stars, will tonight lock horns with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in an international friendly match that promises intensity and tactical sharpness.

The game is scheduled for 20:30 hours East Africa Time (EAT) at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.

Though labelled a ‘friendly’, both camps are approaching this encounter with competitive seriousness as they aim to sharpen their squads ahead of the COSAFA Cup currently underway in South Africa.

For Taifa Stars, the clash serves as a vital warm-up ahead of their COSAFA Group C matches against Eswatini and Madagascar. 

Tanzania’s head coach, Hemed ‘Morocco’ Suleiman (pictured), has emphasized the importance of the game, noting that it will offer insights into his team’s tactical shape, readiness, and competitiveness ahead of upcoming tournaments.

“These are big matches for us, especially the one against South Africa, who are currently performing well,” said Morocco. “But we also have a strong team, so it’s a good opportunity to see how we measure up ahead of CHAN.”

Morocco also highlighted that the friendly forms part of a broader preparation strategy for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August 2025 and the resumption of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September. 

In addition, Tanzania is preparing for the upcoming CECAFA Senior Men’s Challenge Cup, further underlining the importance of match sharpness.

“It’s encouraging to get opportunities like these. We’ve become more competitive, and that’s what Tanzanians should expect; positive results and strong performances in both the friendly and COSAFA games,” he added.

Taifa Stars last featured in March and lost 0-2 away to Morocco in the CAF World Cup qualifications Group E. Tonight’s clash will provide another platform to assess the squad’s progress since then.

The squad features a blend of local and foreign-based players, including stars from CAF Confederation Cup finalists Simba SC. 

Among the notable inclusions are Simon Msuva (Al Talaba, Iraq), Selemani Mwalimu (Wydad AC, Morocco), and Alphonce Mabula (Shamakhi, Azerbaijan), all expected to add experience and international flair to the Tanzanian side.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos will use the match to assess new faces in his squad. With South Africa fielding an alternate side in the COSAFA Cup under coach Vela Khumalo, the main team will be aiming to test tactical strategies and evaluate potential additions to the core lineup ahead of upcoming international competitions.

“We play friendly games. I think it’s a good opportunity for everyone to prove themselves to show their qualities so we can make evaluations after these two friendly games,” said Broos.

COSAFA Cup Group C action will continue on Monday when Madagascar faces Eswatini at 3 PM at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium. 

Tanzania’s second group match will be against Eswatini on Wednesday at 3 PM at Toyota Stadium. These matches will be pivotal for Taifa Stars as they look to advance to the knockout stages.

Group D also promises fireworks, with defending champions Zambia taking on Comoros today at 6 PM. 

The group’s remaining fixtures will see Comoros face Botswana on Monday and Botswana clash with Zambia on Wednesday - both at 3 PM. 

All Group D matches will alternate between Toyota Stadium and Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.

In terms of past encounters, South Africa and Tanzania have met three times previously. The first encounter was in a Four Nations tournament in October 2002, which ended 1-1, with Taifa Stars winning on penalties. 

The second match was a 1-0 victory for Bafana Bafana in a 2011 friendly, while the most recent meeting was during the 2017 COSAFA Cup, where Tanzania emerged 1-0 winners.