New Zealand’s football federation have welcome next month’s clash with Bafana Bafana in Auckland, speaking of a ‘strong competitive sporting relationship’.
The game will be only the second time that the All Whites have played Bafana, with the only other encounter coming in the 2009 Confederations Cup when the South Africans claimed a 2-0 win in Rustenburg, thanks to a Bernard Parker brace.
It is now New Zealand’s chance to do the hosting, with the two teams locking horns at the MT Smart Stadium in Auckland on May 30.
The NZF’s CEO, Andy Martin, said in a press release, “Give the nature of our situation with players now based all over the globe, it’s imperative for our team and it’s players that we take every opportunity to bring the group together.
“A game, in Auckland, against strong opposition in South Africa – a country with which we enjoy a strong competitive sporting relationship – ticks a number of important boxes for us on and off the field.
“Hosting this match at a time when football is front of mind for the thousands of members of our football community in the early stage of the grassroots season, we have an excellent opportunity to showcase our players, our team and our game.”
South Africa are currently placed 64 in the FIFA rankings, 26 places above New Zealand in 90.
