Mbokazi played the full 90 minutes in South Africa’s 2-1 defeat against Panama at the DHL Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The Chicago Fire defender netted his first goal for Bafana in great fashion, scoring a screamer from outside the box to find the back of the net.

Mbokazi has broken his silence on scoring his first national team goal, stating that he does not practise long-range shots during training.

“I do take shots even at training, but I cannot really say I practice them. If the opportunity allows, I take a shot at the goal,” Mbokazi told SABC Sport.

“I am happy to be around the players that I am used to playing with and have not played with for a long time, who encourage me to keep on working hard because it will give me a chance to continue to play with them.

“We played well, and the loss doesn’t mean we played badly. We will still continue to push because this result will push to not want to find ourselves in this position in the games that are coming.

“The experience that I gained from that side in the games that I have played, maybe if I can bring that to the national team when we go to the World Cup, I will be able to help. Even though I cannot point to anything in particular, it will show that I have learnt something abroad,” he concluded.

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The Bafana Bafana defender scored a stunning strike from distance to net the equalising goal at the DHL Stadium.

South Africa went on to suffer a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the South American side in Cape Town ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

WATCH: Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s screamer against Panama

⚽️ 𝕀𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕝𝕪 ⚽️

🥅 ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: 🚀 A rocket by Mbekezeli Mbokazi!

🇿🇦 1⃣➖1⃣ 🇵🇦

🚨 LIVE
📺 SABC 3
🌐 https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball #BafanaBafana pic.twitter.com/xMMZ2OKR3r

— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) March 31, 2026

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South Africa suffered a 2-1 defeat to the South American outfit in their international friendly match played in Cape Town.

José Córdoba opened the scoring for Panama before Mbekezeli Mbokazi equalised for Bafana, but Jiovany Ramos put the game beyond South Africa with a 77th-minute winner.

Broos acknowledged both the positives and shortcomings in Bafana Bafana’s performance, highlighting missed opportunities.

“I think the first half from our side was good, we had again three open chances and didn’t score and you know in such a game that can be crucial. The second half I think we were overpowered by Panama,” Broos told SABC Sport after the match.

“They had more power in the team, more speed in the team, we came many times in difficulties and we couldn’t play our game anymore so therefore again I want to say again the two games played – this is a good test for us.

“We know now what is international football and what is football from other continents again I’m very we played again against Panama and we have to say what we didn’t do on Friday during the game; Panama did it today.”

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WATCH: Bafana’s final preparations ahead of Panama clash

South Africa will host Panama in their second international friendly scheduled to take place at the DHL Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Bafana and Panama met on Friday and were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

READ: Okon: We’re Hoping To Get The Win In Cape Town

Broos has revealed that the bulk of his Bafana Bafana squad is already taking shape, with the head coach confident in the core of his selection while keeping a close eye on player form and fitness ahead of finalising his plans.

“I think, first of all, let’s say 70% of the selection is already in my head,” said Broos.

“Everything depends a little bit on the form of the players. Maybe in the next three months, they won’t play for their teams or could suffer injuries… those kinds of things.

“But 75% of the 23 or 25 players are already decided in my mind, and I will not change that.

“Not even tomorrow, even if we play a bad game. But there are still positions that I want to assess in the next few weeks before I make my final decision.

“On the other hand, we played a very good game on Friday, and let’s hope we can confirm that again on Tuesday.”

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WATCH: Bafana’s final preparations ahead of Panama clash

Although Okon has already represented South Africa during their participation in the COSAFA Cup, the defender made his debut in the senior team under Hugo Broos.

The 22-year-old played the full 90 minutes in their 1-1 draw with Panama at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.

READ: Broos reveals 70% of World Cup squad is locked in

Okon will be relishing the opportunity to make his second appearances against Panama when they meet at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday evening.

“Yeah, it was good. I think we played very well – just a lapse of concentration from us – but besides that, we dominated the whole game,” said Okon, according to SABC Sport.

“We just need to keep working hard, and we’ll see what the future holds.

“I think we’ve now seen how they play, so I think our preparation towards the next game will be much better so we are hoping to get the win the next time.”

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South Africa will take on the South American outfit in their second friendly when they meet at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

Kick-off has been set for 19:30.

WATCH: Bafana’s final preparations ahead of Panama clash

The grind never stops. 💪🏽 The boys are putting the final touches on their game plan before taking on Panama tomorrow night. Bring the noise to DHL Stadium and let’s back our boys! 🗣️🇿🇦 🔥⚽️🇿🇦

South Africa 🇿🇦 vs 🇵🇦 Panama (Match 2)
🏟 DHL Stadium, Cape Town
📅 31 March 2026
🕑… pic.twitter.com/K1OuV7yDYM

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 30, 2026

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South Africa are set to welcome Panama to the DHL Stadium for their second international friendly, which takes place in Cape Town on Tuesday evening.

When these two sides met in the first international friendly match on Friday, they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

The Belgian mentor insisted that he will field a relatively similar squad to the previous match as he puts focus on the upcoming World Cup.

“No, there will not be a lot of changes, not at all and I know that the Sundowns players have an overloaded programme also the next few weeks but this is not my problem.

“I have to prepare for the World Cup and I think when we have a disappointment in the World Cup people won’t say, ow coach, you did say that players of Sundowns [are busy].

“Sundowns have enough players, they have 35 players so they can certainly change here in the PSL.

“If Mokoena players or Modiba players or Mudau players or if they don’t, they always win in the PSL. So, I don’t see the problem for them.”

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South Africa settled for a draw after playing out to a 1-1 stalemate at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday evening.

Hugo Broos’ men will welcome the same opponents to the DHL Stadium in Cape Town when they do battle on Tuesday evening.

WATCH: A sneak peak behind the scenes at Bafana

A sneak peak behind the scenes with Bafana Bafana 👀🔥🇿🇦⚽️#BafanaPride @adidasfootball @adidasza @rexona_sa @standardbankza @10betza @freddyhirschsa @flysaa @honorza @castlelagersa @cocacolaza @sabcsport @nutritechfit @southernsunhotels pic.twitter.com/B9HSGqKYQz

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 28, 2026

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READ: Broos Open on Zwane Selection After Bafana Return

South Africa were forced to settle for a draw after they were held to a 1-1 draw against Panama at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

The Orlando Pirates attacker will be hoping to get his name on the score sheet again when they welcome the same opponents to the DHL Stadium on Tuesday.

Appollis reflected on the fine margins in front of goal, admitting that while chances went begging, it is not a cause for concern for Bafana Bafana.

“It’s just a moment of concentrating and like today it didn’t happen but it’s not the end of the world,” said Appollis.

“But the next game is very important to take these opportunities and if we get it in that fashion, you know, 1 vs 1 with the keeper.

“Like I said, we will keep pushing and try to put the ball in the net.

“We speak to the whole group, camp has been positive and all of us that has been selected, we know that we’ve come here to work hard and get the opportunity for the World Cup.

“So we put in the work now.”

The post Appollis Calls for Focus Ahead of Panama Clash appeared first on SportsClub.

READ: Appollis Calls for Focus Ahead of Panama Clash

The 36-year-old made his long-awaited return to the Bafana setup, having last featured in the national team in October 2024.

Zwane lasted 60 minutes in their 1-1 draw against Panama before he was substituted and replaced by Relebohile Mofokeng.

Broos highlighted the importance of assessing Themba Zwane’s fitness and match readiness as Bafana Bafana prepare for upcoming fixtures.

“I think the only surprise is that Themba is in the team, I think when he’s with us we have to let him play and we’ll see how far he is at the moment,” Broos told SABC Sport.

“There’s still a game in June, but we don’t have so many games to let him play, so it’s important to know where he is physically, technically, football, we know there’s no problem but physically.

“He’s not playing much at Sundowns at the moment, so we will not let him play 90 minutes either, I don’t think he can do that, but just to see him play, it’s very important for us.”

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