FIFA Series: South Africa to Face Algeria and Andorra Through International Pilot Project

• Bafana Bafana will play two special international friendly matches this month
• South Africa will take on a European side, Andorra, and African giants, Algeria
• The FIFA Series aims to provide opportunities to 'lesser' member associations

South Africa is set to participate in a groundbreaking initiative organised by football’s governing body, FIFA.

Thanks to the FIFA Series international friendlies pilot project, Bafana Bafana will engage in diverse matches slated for later this month.

The initiative aims to provide member associations with increased playing opportunities, particularly outside football's traditional powerhouses in Europe and South America.

The project is also said to 'seek to enhance the competitiveness of the sport globally and promote football development across different continents'.

Scheduled to run from March 18 to 26, the pilot project will feature inter-confederation friendlies hosted by Algeria, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka.

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For Bafana, it presents a significant opportunity to test their mettle against diverse opponents and further elevate their performance on the international stage.

Expressing optimism about the initiative, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino said, per Independent Online:

"More meaningful matches will enable far more valuable footballing interaction for players, teams and fans and will make a concrete contribution to the development of the game."

Bafana will be among those hosted by Algeria, alongside Andorra and Bolivia, representing different confederations.

Under coach, Hugo Broos's leadership, the squad will face Andorra on Thursday, March 21, at the 19 May 1956 Stadium, followed by a clash against Algeria on Tuesday, March 27, at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.

The Belgian has assembled a preliminary squad of 32 players. The camp marks the team's first reunion since their impressive performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they secured a third spot, as reported by the BBC.

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Hugo Broos speaks on his Bafana future

Sports Brief reported that Broos discussed his future with Bafana after leading South Africa to a historic bronze medal at the AFCON 2023.

They defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo in the third-place playoffs to finish behind Nigeria and Ivory Coast to finish in third place.