The South African national football team will play Poland and Kenya in friendly internationals next month, the SA Football Association confirmed this week.
Safa said the first match would be played in Warsaw on October 12, and four days later the senior men's national team would face the Harambee Stars in Nairobi.
Bafana coach Gordon Igesund had hoped to play two matches against African teams ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which will be hosted by South Africa, but he said he had changed his mind, as most of the top African sides are unavailable for friendlies.
A match against Egypt had been considered, according to Igesund, but the Pharaohs are set to tour the United Arab Emirates over the same period.
"Initially I felt it was prudent to play an African opposition, since we will be playing in the Afcon tournament in four months' time," Igesund said in a statement.
"Most of the top African teams are involved in the 2013 Afcon qualifiers, therefore we had no tough opponents to play against.
"We need to play strong opposition so we can be tested thoroughly, therefore after considering all options which we had, I have no doubt in my mind that Poland will give us the test that we require," he said.
Igesund, who replaced former head coach Pitso Mosimane in June, hopes Poland and Kenya would provide a strong challenge for his team's preparations for the continental tournament early next year.
"We are not afraid to lose. That is why we don't need to play a weak opposition," Igesund said.
"We need to be challenged so we can see where we are.
"If any of the top African teams were available then it would have been a different ball game altogether."
Igesund will name the squad next week.
Bafana to play Poland and Kenya
The South African national football team will play Poland and Kenya in friendly internationals next month, the SA Football Association confirmed this week.
Safa said the first match would be played in Warsaw on October 12, and four days later the senior men's national team would face the Harambee Stars in Nairobi.
Bafana coach Gordon Igesund had hoped to play two matches against African teams ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which will be hosted by South Africa, but he said he had changed his mind, as most of the top African sides are unavailable for friendlies.
A match against Egypt had been considered, according to Igesund, but the Pharaohs are set to tour the United Arab Emirates over the same period.
"Initially I felt it was prudent to play an African opposition, since we will be playing in the Afcon tournament in four months' time," Igesund said in a statement.
"Most of the top African teams are involved in the 2013 Afcon qualifiers, therefore we had no tough opponents to play against.
"We need to play strong opposition so we can be tested thoroughly, therefore after considering all options which we had, I have no doubt in my mind that Poland will give us the test that we require," he said.
Igesund, who replaced former head coach Pitso Mosimane in June, hopes Poland and Kenya would provide a strong challenge for his team's preparations for the continental tournament early next year.
"We are not afraid to lose. That is why we don't need to play a weak opposition," Igesund said.
"We need to be challenged so we can see where we are.
"If any of the top African teams were available then it would have been a different ball game altogether."
Igesund will name the squad next week.
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