South Africa have played Zambia more times than any other opponent in international competition with Saturday’s clash in Gqeberha marking the 25th time the two countries have met.

Zambia coach Moses Sichone might reckon that the home side are favourites but Bafana Bafana have a losing record against the Zambians with six wins, nine draws and nine defeats since the first meeting at Soccer City just months after the country’s return to international football in 1992.

The 1-0 win for Zambia was only the second competitive international for the new-look South African national side and part of a disastrous start to the rigours of international competition after decades of apartheid-enforced isolation.

Zambia played the same XI throughout the game, not making any substitutions, and came away with a 1-0 victory on August 30.

Timothy Mwitwa’s effort was the first of 26 goals they have scored against South Africa, who have managed 21 in return.

A 3-0 win for Zambia over Bafana in their second ever meeting, which was still part of the same Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group, is the biggest margin of victory for Zambia against South Africa.

 

International Friendly Match

⚽️ South Africa 🇿🇦 v 🇿🇲 Zambia
🏟 Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
📅 Saturday, 15 November 2025
⏰️ 15h00
🎟 Webtickets #BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @CastleLagerSA @Shield_ZA @HonourAfrica @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/t5ug61sNop

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) November 14, 2025

 

Bafana avenged this in 1997 at Soccer City when they won 3-0 to eliminate Zambia from the running and move closer to qualification for the 1998 World Cup finals, with current assistant coach Helman Mkhalele setting things on their way with the opening goal.

South Africa’s first goal against Zambia came on Nelson Mandela’s inauguration day in May, 1994 when the halftime was extended to allow the new president, who had missed the kick off, to greet the players.

That was where the Mandela effect was first born, otherwise known as “Madiba Magic”. Ther Zambians conceded two goals immediately after the second half began to Brendan Augustine and Doctor Khumalo and although they pulled one back later South Africa thrillingly won on the day. The Zambians said, with good reason, they did not feel they should win on auspicious a day.

There have been six meetings between South Africa and Zambia in the Cup of Nations, but only one in the finals in Alexandria, Egypt in 2006 which Zambia won with a late goal from Chris Katongo.

In past friendlies however, South Africa have the best stats with four wins, two draws and two defeats. In their only two World Cup qualifying clashes, South Africa drew in Lusaka and then won at home.

 

THE 33-Bullets Assigned to Gun Down Bafana Bafana! #WeAreChipolopopo, #FIFAinternaripnalfriendly#SAZAM pic.twitter.com/Ktiu27tCdE

— FAZ (@FAZFootball) November 13, 2025