South Africa - Angola Preview: Can Palancas Negras stop rampant Bafana?

Bafana Bafana will look to continue their record breaking unbeaten run when they face off against Angola on Tuesday night.

Owen Da Gama’s men go into the encounter buoyed on by their confidence boosting 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau on Saturday.

However, stand-in coach Da Gama is largely expected to rotate his squad as he looks to give others a chance. The quartet of Thulani Hlatshwayo, Dean Furman, Eric Mathoho and Andile Jali are all nursing injuries and are doubtful for the clash against the Palancas Negras .

The injuries to the defensive duo of Mathoho and Hlatshwayo, who did duty against the African Wild Dogs, could come as a blessing in disguise as the public may get their first look at the future if Da Gama chooses to give Kaizer Chiefs centre back Lorenzo Gordinho his debut alongside Rivaldo Coetzee.

Meanwhile, Da Gama opted against fielding youngsters Phakamani Mahlambi and Luther Singh on the weekend and almost certainly will look to give them their senior international debuts when they face off against the 147th ranked Angola.

Although, Angola go into the match as underdogs they possess some heavy artillery in attack and the Bafana defence will need to be at their best to avert the danger. Most notably, Angola have recalled former Manchester United forward Manucho for the upcoming friendly and much will be expected of the veteran striker.

Tuesday’s match also sees Lebogang Manyama in the reckoning for a starting berth at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium. The Cape Town City skipper came on for a short stint in Durban and Da Gama has expressed that he expects the 26-year-old to have his shooting boots on when called upon.

“Tuesday it can be his chance to do so,” Da Gama told SunSport.

“He's been good at his club, scoring goals week in, week out.

“Even at camp he's been good. I just hope he will wear those boots when he gets a chance on Tuesday,” he expressed.

Da Gama will eye a victory against Angola knowing all too well that it will be his final game in charge as an announcement on a new coach is eminent, according to South African Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan.

Bafana Bafana also go into the encounter with the odds stacked firmly in their favour. South Africa have faced off against their Southern African neighbours a total of eight times, claiming five victories in the process while Angola only have the solitary victory over Bafana needing to go back to the 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifiers.