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South Africa's strange history with 2026 World Cup warm-up opponents Jamaica

Coach Hugo Broos has suggested he will field his strongest line-up against the Jamaicans as he fine-tunes his team ahead of the June 11 World Cup opener against Mexico.

The match should give both South Africans and Mexicans a strong indication of how Bafana are likely to line up for that opening fixture.

South Africa also face the Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey six days later to complete their Group A campaign.

Jamaica did not qualify for the World Cup, with their only appearance at the global finals ending in a group-stage exit at France 1998.

They have already played two matches during this international window, beating India 2-0 and losing 3-0 to Nigeria, with both games staged in London.

Here is a look back at the previous meetings between the two nations.

Jamaica 1-1 South Africa

May 9, 1999 – Kingston

A friendly international under then coach Trott Moloto ended in a draw as Daniel Mudau put a depleted South Africa side ahead midway through the first half, one of the three international goals he scored in 16 appearances for Bafana Bafana.

The hosts equalised through legendary Jamaican midfielder Theodore Whitmore, who had a brief spell with Cape Town Spurs in 1994.

 

South Africa 0-0 Jamaica

April 30, 2003 – Cape Town

A goalless draw in a friendly at Athlone Stadium as both sides fielded below-strength teams, though South Africa, captained by goalkeeper Brian Baloyi, still had a side capable of claiming victory.

Jamaica 3-3 South Africa

July 10, 2005 – Los Angeles

A six-goal thriller in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where South Africa were competing as guest participants.

Bafana led three times but could not hold on for the win, though they still advanced from their group.

Abram Raselemane put South Africa 1-0 ahead before Lungisani Ndlela made it 2-1. On both occasions Jamaica equalised within two minutes of falling behind.

Siboniso Gaxa was sent off early in the second half, but despite being reduced to 10 men, Siyabonga Nomvethe put Bafana 3-2 up. However, they could not hold their advantage and Jamaica equalised again with 10 minutes remaining.

 

South Africa 0-0 Jamaica

November 17, 2009 – Bloemfontein

Another friendly international, this time in Bloemfontein as Bafana Bafana prepared for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Carlos Alberto Parreira had just returned for his second spell as coach, but South Africa could not find a breakthrough and settled for another draw.

On this occasion, Whitmore was in charge of the Jamaican team.

South Africa 2-0 Jamaica

April 22, 2010 – Offenbach

The teams met again six months later at South Africa’s pre-World Cup training camp in Germany, and it was Bafana Bafana who emerged victorious.

Surprise Moriri and Nomvethe scored second-half goals as South Africa claimed a 2-0 win in front of 562 spectators in Offenbach.

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