South Africa vs Andorra LIVE!

Bafana Bafana are back in action tonight for the first time since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished third to pick up a bronze medal. Andorra are the opponents for a friendly game being held in Algeria as part of a newly launched scheme.

This friendly game is part of the first round of FIFA Series games. World football's governing body has introduced a new scheme to allow nations to face teams from other federations either for the first time or in a rare clash. After tonight's game, Andorra will face Bolivia and South Africa will take on Algeria for just the fifth time ever.

Andorra went throughout 2023 without a win - and have not scored since June 2023 - and have a tall task to change their run with their first match of 2024. Follow along the action in the May 19th Stadium with our dedicated LIVE blog below!

South Africa vs Andorra latest news

• GOAL! Mokwana fires home an equaliser

• GOAL! Andorra take a shock lead!

• What is the FIFA Series?

22:54 , Alex Young

94min: The referee blows six seconds early! He’s seen enough and, I dare to say, so has everyone else.

A fine result for Andorra, the less said about South Africa the better.

22:53 , Alex Young

93min: The ball almost falls to Modiba unmarked near the back post but the bouncing cross is hard to control and the chance breaks down.

22:51 , Alex Young

92min: Goss tries to start a quick counter attack but can only find an Andorra player, and they head for the corner flag.

22:51 , Alex Young

91min: A great ball in, delivered deep towards Mokwana to head at goal but he can’t get the telling touch. The Andorra keeper gratefully collects.

22:50 , Alex Young

90min: The corner comes in and causes panic in the area, it’s pinball in there before Andorra hack clear at the third attempt.

Four minutes added on.

22:49 , Alex Young

90min: Into the final minute and South Africa have won a late corner...

22:48 , Alex Young

89min: Rayners with a chance from the edge of the area after a poor clearance, but the shot is blocked.

22:46 , Alex Young

86min: Frustration from Sibisi to wipe out Martinez as he looks to cross the halfway line. Gets deservedly booked.

22:45 , Alex Young

85min: South Africa, as has been the case all game, are the team looking to make something happen in the final third, but they are eternally out of ideas.

It’s like they assumed this would be easy and assumed they could turn up and get a result.

22:41 , Alex Young

81min: And now South Africa bring on Rayners in place of striker Mayo in a straight swap.

22:40 , Alex Young

80min: Couple more changes for Andorra. Cervos and Vales make way for Teixeira and Adri Gomes.

22:38 , Alex Young

78min: South Africa are trying to create something but the clock is ticking.

22:38 , Alex Young

72min: A remarkable save to deny Maswanganyi! The midfielder looks certain to tuck home at the back post but Gomes shows superb composure to palm away.

22:29 , Alex Young

67min: Triple change for Andorra. Garcia, Sanchez and Martinez are on for Rubio, Pujol and Cucu.

22:25 , Alex Young

62min: Double change for South Africa and it’s a defensive move from the coach.

Modiba and Mobbie replace Mashego and Morena.

22:18 , Alex Young

58min: I tell you what, I think Pujol had one of his teeth knocked out in that move! My apologies, Marc, it looked innocuous! He’s now off getting treatment.

22:15 , Alex Young

56min: Almost a lovely move by Andorra on the edge of the South Africa area only for Pujol to get stopped in his tracks by Xoki after a nutmeg.

The 41-year-old striker hits the deck, and stays down but there really didn’t look like much in it. Just waiting for the stretcher.

22:11 , Alex Young

52min: Andorra haven’t given up here. They’ve just won a free kick around 30 yards out and floated towards the back post, but the referee blows for an infringement.

22:06 , Alex Young

47min: Almost an instant goal from South Africa as Mbanjwa is found inside the area but his shot thwacks the post and goalkeeper Gomes smothers at the second attempt.

Already much from Bafana Bafana!

Second half!

22:04 , Alex Young

46min: Back underway.

22:03 , Alex Young

South Africa could make changes at the break, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise. We’ll find out soon enough.

21:52 , Alex Young

So, not the show of strength perhaps many were expecting from South Africa in that first half. A shock early lead for Andorra and Bafana Bafana were the better team from then on, but there’s not a huge amount in them.

Much improvement needed after the break.

Half-time!

21:48 , Alex Young

46min: Just a few seconds of added time played, so that’s half-time!

21:44 , Alex Young

43min: Mayo wiped out by an Andorra defender to win a free kick near the halfway line. The striker has struggled to assert himself so far.

21:41 , Alex Young

40min: Finally a decent chance for Bafana Bafana as Mbanjwa darts into the area and fires at the near post but Gomes makes a fine point-blank save.

21:40 , Alex Young

38min: South Africa boasting 70 per cent possession but struggling to break down the Andorra defence.

21:36 , Alex Young

35min: It’s all quite comfortable for Andorra while rarely touching the ball.

21:32 , Alex Young

30min: Plenty of inexperienced players on show but South Africa should not be struggling to create against Andorra to this extent.

They’ve had chances but only one real clear-cut chance. Even their goal was a deflection.

GOAL!

21:27 , Alex Young

25min: Equaliser! Mokwana fires across the keeper from inside the area, which benefits from a deflection.

21:25 , Alex Young

24min: De Pablos is his replacement. The Andorra defender runs onto the pitch before being given permission by the officials, so has to run back to the touchline and then runs back on.

21:24 , Alex Young

23min: Alaez does not require a stretcher but he will not be able to continue.

21:22 , Alex Young

20min: Pause in play as Jordi Alaez requires treatment for tripped up while backtracking. The stretcher is out, but that seems a bit unnecessary.

21:18 , Alex Young

16min: South Africa building in confidence now, shaking off that bizarre opener. Starting to pepper the Andorra goal with shots.

21:16 , Alex Young

Andorra enjoyed their first goal in well over a year!

21:13 , Alex Young

11min: Good chance for Bafana Bafana as Rayners darts into the area and fires low towards Gomes’ near post, but it skips wide.

21:09 , Alex Young

8min: The South Africa head coach has a face of thunder on the sidelines.

GOAL!

21:07 , Alex Young

6min: Oh my word, Andorra have stunned South Africa!

A dreadful mistake from goalkeeper Goss, who isn't concentrating so miscontrols the ball and allows Fernandez to run in and poke home into an empty net!

21:04 , Alex Young

5min: Almost the opening goal as Mayo tries to cut the ball back for Mbanjwa at the back post, but his pass has a little too much spice on it.

21:03 , Alex Young

4min: It’s nine changes, including four debutants for South Africa, since their third-place play-off at the Africa Cup of Nations.

21:02 , Alex Young

2min: Not a single Andorra player on show today has scored a goal for their country.

Kick-off!

21:01 , Alex Young

1min: Here we go!

20:58 , Alex Young

The Andorra coaching team and players are belting out their anthem.

20:57 , Alex Young

Time for the national anthems.

20:55 , Alex Young

Both teams appear to be lining up in 4-4-2 formations tonight. The players are preparing to head out onto the field.

20:44 , Alex Young

Not long to go now.

Preparations

20:28 , Alex Young

Andorra going through their paces.

Andorra XI

20:16 , Alex Young

Andorra XI: Gomes; Chus Rubio, Llovera, San Nicolas, Garcia; Alaez, Vales, Guillen, Cervos; Pujol, Fernandez

Subs: Pires, De Pablos, Marc Garcia, Reyes, Vieira, Teixeira, Jordi Rubio, Fernandez, Martinez, Sanchez

South Africa XI

20:14 , Alex Young

South Africa XI: Goss; Mokwana, Mosele, Xoki, Mashego; Morena, Sibisi, Monare, Maswanganyi; Mbanjwa, Mayo

Subs: Bvuma, Mobbie, Xulu, Modiba, Kekana, Mokoena, Appollis, Zwane, Margeman, Mayambela, Rayners

Bafana Bafana arrive

20:03 , Alex Young

Kick-off is inside an hour.

19:57 , Alex Young

Team news should be coming shortly from both teams.

South Africa vs Andorra score prediction

19:41 , Alex Young

Bafana Bafana may not be full of goals but have proven difficult to beat and will surely fancy their chances against an Andorra side in dreadful form.

South Africa to win 2-0.

South Africa team news

19:27 , Alex Young

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has picked a strong squad for the game, though 10 players will be hoping to make their debuts.

Siyanda Xulu and Thabang Monare have been late additions, with Siyabonga Ngezana and Sphephelo Sithole withdrawing either through injury or "travel difficulties". Monare is in line to start.

Ricardo Goss is expected to start in goal, while Goodman Mosele will be looking to reestablish himself in midfield.

Andorra team news

19:11 , Alex Young

Andorra will need to be at their best to get a result tonight, having gone through the entirety of 2023 without a win. They have also not scored in six games, losing the last five.

Ricard Fernandez will be tasked with ending their goal drought, though has just one international goal to his name, which came against San Marino way back in October 2021.

How to watch South Africa vs Andorra

18:57 , Alex Young

TV channel: The match will be broadcast on free-to-air TV channel SABC Sport in South Africa.

Those watching in Algeria, where the game is being held, will be able to watch on TV 6. The game has not been selected for UK coverage.

Live stream: The game is available to SABC subscribers via online platform SABC+.

What is the FIFA Series?

18:46 , Alex Young

Just last month, less than four weeks ago, FIFA announced a new series of friendly matches in one location called the FIFA Series, with a pilot project kicking off in four countries.

There are no trophies or prize money, rather the series is designed to benefit national teams that do not have the opportunity to play teams from other confederations, with FIFA set to cover travel costs.

A soft launch of the FIFA Series is across four locations; Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka. Four teams will be based in one location and will play two matches each.

South Africa are in Algeria, and play Andorra tonight and the hosts next week.

FIFA believe the next edition in 2026 could see bigger teams looking to take part.

Welcome

18:40 , Alex Young

Good evening and welcome to the Standard’s LIVE coverage of the FIFA Series clash between South Africa and Andorra, being held in Algeria!

Kick-off for this international friendly is at 9pm GMT, and it is being held at the May 19th Stadium.

Stick with us.