No Xmas break for Bafana

Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana will not have any time off during the festive season as friendly matches have been lined up in order to help the team prepare for 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The South African Football Association have confirmed Gordon Igesund's men will play matches on December 23, January 9 and January 13 as part of an eight-match scheduled ahead of next year's African showpiece.

South Africa will play host to the 2013 installment, and SAFA CEO Robin Petersen is hoping the friendly encounters can go a long way in preparing the team for the continental spectacular.

The December 23 clash is set to take place in Durban, against one of the AFCON finalists who will be in the country, while the venues and opponents for the two January matches are both still to be confirmed.

Igesund will take charge of the team for the first time against Brazil on September 7, followed by a clash against Mozambique four days later.

They are then expected to travel to the Middle East for a tie on the weekend of October 7, followed by an away clash against Poland on October 12.

Of the unconfirmed Middle East tie, Petersen told The Sowetan: "We have two possible opponents for this game but it will be away."

Bafana's friendly schedule:

September 7

Brazil v South Africa

September 11

South Africa v Mozambique

October 7

South Africa v TBC

October 12

Poland v South Africa

November 14

South Africa v Zambia

December 23

South Africa v TBC

January 9

South Africa v TBC

January 13

South Africa v TBC