BAFANA Bafana's upcoming World Cup opponents Ethiopia began an extensive preparatory period ahead of next month's key qualifier against South Africa by winning a warm-up friendly at the weekend.

Ethiopia won 2-0 against neighbours Sudan in a match to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the African Union, having assembled a squad of 31 players in the last week for the assignments ahead.

Ethiopia's Walyas play Botswana first in Lobatse on June 8 at the same time as Bafana are away in neutral Cameroon against the Central African Republic in Group A of the Brazil 2014 qualifiers.

Ethiopia then host Gordon Igesund's team in Addis Ababa on June 16 in a match expected to go a long way to deciding the outcome of the group, even though there is still one more round to play in September.

Ethiopia's squad is made up only of local-based players, with imports from Sweden and the US who were used at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in January dropped by coach Sewnet Bishaw.

The Central African Republic, who have lost home advantage against Bafana because of the unstable security situation in the capital Bangui, cancelled plans to travel to the Middle East for friendlies.

They are expected to have trouble putting together a team for the match against SA in Yaounde on June 8 because of a shortage of funds.