Ronwen Williams promises fireworks in his Bafana Bafana homecoming

Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams says supporters in Gqeberha can expect “fireworks” when the national team hosts Zambia in an international friendly at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday at 3pm.

Williams, who grew up in the Eastern Cape, said returning home ahead of the clash carried emotional weight but also renewed purpose for a group determined to sharpen their edge before next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“It’s lovely to come home and to play in front of my home fans but not only that but a group of passionate fans who gave us so much joy (in the past), the gents are excited to be here,” Williams expressed.

The skipper said preparations over the last week have given him confidence that Bafana are treating this fixture with the seriousness it deserves.

“It’s been a week of hard work and you can see the team means business, training was intense, the mood is high but the players know there’s a job to do, like the coach has mentioned, this is not a friendly game, it’s an international match and we’re obviously looking to use it as preparation for AFCON.”

With Bafana recently climbing the FIFA rankings and producing consistent results, Williams said maintaining those standards requires maturity, hunger and professionalism.

“We’ve built a wonderful team over the last few years, we are one of the best teams and we need to keep it that way and that comes with being serious professionals and so people will see fireworks tomorrow.”

Bafana coach Hugo Broos echoed his captain’s assessment of the team’s sharp preparation and said he is particularly pleased with the progress of new call-ups Keletso Makgalwa and Masindi Nemtajela.

Broos admitted that integrating players from outside the regular core always carries an element of risk, especially in a short camp.

“It was dangerous considering this is a friendly game but what I saw at training gives me confidence and also with the two new arrivals, it was a little bit difficult for them because the level is higher than what they’re used to but now they’re fully integrated and I was happy to see them progressing in the days of training,” Broos explained.

The Belgian mentor said the friendly will help him assess combinations, intensity and depth as he edges closer to finalising the group that will travel to Morocco for AFCON 2025.

Broos has consistently stressed the importance of using every international window as preparation, and Saturday’s clash against regional rivals Zambia provides exactly the type of test he values — competitive, physical and emotionally charged.

Williams’ rallying call and Broos’ confidence have set the tone for a match that may not count in World Cup or AFCON qualifying, but carries significant weight for a team eager to build on its continental resurgence.

With a strong crowd expected in Gqeberha, Bafana will be under pressure to deliver, but both captain and coach believe the work done behind the scenes will show on the pitch.