International Friendly: France vs South Africa Match Preview

• South Africa will look to make world headlines when they take on France tonight in an international friendly match in Lille
• Bafana Bafana had to settle for a goalless draw against Guinea last Friday in a match that they should have won
• The world champion Les Bleus, meanwhile, had to work hard when they defeated the Ivory Coast 2-1 in a match they trailed

South Africa will enter the match against France in Lille tonight, looking to go one better than the credible goalless draw against Guinea last Friday.

The hosts, on the other hand, are seeking a seven straight following a 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast. All will unfold at the sold-out Stade Pierre Mauroy, where 50 000 fans will converge for the encounter.

Defending world champions Les Bleus breezed through qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup later this year in Qatar. Bafana Bafana, meanwhile, would give the world to not be playing this prestigious friendly; instead participating in the CAF zone play-offs for a ticket to the Middle East.

Ranking the best Spurs players of all time and more fun facts

Football

Olivier Giroud and Nicolas Pepe were on the scoresheet for the French against the Ivorians in Marseille, while Aurelien Tchouameni netted for the latter. On the other hand, the South Africans could really have piled on the goals against the Guineans in Belgium, but uncertain finishing in front of goals thwarted them.

France's next international engagements will be in June, when the UEFA Nations League begins. The defending world champions will look to build a head of steam ahead of their title defence, having disappointed in Euro 2020.

South Africa has no fixtures pencilled in after their European tour, with CAF soon to release the schedule for qualification to the 2023 African Cup of Nations set to be hosted by the Ivory Coast.

France vs South Africa: Previous meetings between Les Bleus and Bafana Bafana

Reigning world champions, France take on South Africa in an international friendly match tonight in Lille.

Fascinating details about Mali's national football team

Football

As reported by Sports Brief, the nations have met on four previous occasions, with two coming at the FIFA World Cup, coincidentally hosted by each country.

Les Bleus boasts two victories to Bafana Bafana's solitary win, which happened at the historic 2010 FIFA World Cup in Mzansi.