Appollis strikes to rescue Bafana draw with Panama

South Africa started their 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations with a 1-1 draw against Panama in an international friendly played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday night.

Bafana Bafana dominated much of the game and created the better chances but could only equalise after the Central American visitors took a surprise lead.

The two sides will meet again on Tuesday at DHL Cape Town Stadium as both teams continue fine-tuning ahead of the World Cup set to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Bafana Bafana made a strong start to the match with Themba Zwane linking up play nicely and was involved in the build-up when Luis Mejía made a fabulous save to deny Oswin Appollis in the 19th minute.

However, Panama took a surprise 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute after Yoel Bárcenas intercepted Khuliso Mudau's pass and scored to mark his 100th senior international match for the CONCACAF side with a goal.

The hosts responded by exerting pressure on Los Canaleros as substitute keeper, Orlando Mosquera, made two smart saves to deny Lyle Foster and Teboho Mokoena, having replaced the injured Meija.

As things stand at the halftime break pic.twitter.com/eGefEOHpWT — Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 27, 2026

Panama went into halftime leading 1-0.

Bafana continued to pile pressure on the visitors after the restart and deservedly levelled matters in the 48th minute when Oswin Appollis scored his eighth international goal to make it 1-1, with Khuliso Mudau providing the assist.

In a tense finish, both sides surged forward late on, but Panama nearly snatched victory when Cesar Yanis rattled the woodwork after South Africa’s defensive error in the closing 10 minutes, with the contest finishing 1-1.

And so it ends at the Moses Mabhida Stadium #BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @adidasfootball @adidasZA @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/lFGVPm3X6T — Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 27, 2026

SOUTH AFRICA (0) 1 (Appollis 48')

PANAMA (1) 1 (Barcenas 23')

SOUTH AFRICA: Williams, Mudau (Matuludi 83'), Okon, Ndamane, Modiba (Kabini 83'), Mokoena (Mbatha 71'), Sithole (Adams 60'), Moremi, Zwane (Mofokeng 60'), Appollis, Foster (Makgopa 72')

PANAMA: Mejía (Mosquera 42'), Blackman, Córdoba, Krug (Godoy 66'), Miller (Martinez 74'), Martínez (Andrade 74'), Bárcenas, Harvey (Gutiérrez 46'), Davis, Waterman (Fajardo 65'), Yanis.