Thomas Christiansen explains why Panama chose Bafana Bafana test

Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen has shed light on the motivation behind his team’s decision to face Bafana Bafana in the lead-up to their two international friendlies.

The encounters, starting with the first on Friday at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, offer both teams a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and player dynamics ahead of significant competitive fixtures.

Christiansen, a seasoned figure in football, has a rich history in the sport, including a notable playing career that includes a stint as the Bundesliga’s top goalscorer during the 2002/03 season with VfL Bochum.

The Danish-born coach, who took over the reins of the Panama national team in 2020, has crafted a squad that favours tactical organisation and possession-based football. This match marks an exciting milestone, as it will be Panama’s first-ever appearance on African soil. Ranked 33rd in the Fifa world rankings, Panama comes into this fixture as the higher-ranked side against South Africa, currently 60th.

The Central American team is preparing for upcoming international competitions, including the Gold Cup and the CONCACAF Nations League, where they have demonstrated commendable performances in recent years.

“The goal was to play against an African team,” said Christiansen. “There are constant similarities with Ghana to what we will find with South Africa, and that was the objective.

"By playing two games against them, we can change our ideas, positions, and players, and that’s what we want. It should also provide us the opportunity to rotate the squad a bit and give minutes to those who perhaps haven’t seen any playing time with the national team.”

This encounter follows one previous meeting between the two nations, notably a memorable 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup meeting that ended in a 1-1 draw but, for the South Africans, ended unfavourably with a 5-3 penalty shootout loss. Both teams will be eager for redemption following disappointing recent performances.

South Africa suffered a frustrating home loss to Cameroon, while Panama suffered a narrow defeat against Mexico, highlighting questions about their attacking efficiency.

With both sides seeking a rebound from their setbacks, this friendly serves as a crucial platform to rebuild confidence and refine their styles of play.