March 31, (THEWILL) — Two Panamanian defenders handed their nation a 2-1 victory over South Africa at DHL Cape Town Stadium, with the result offering an encouraging pre-tournament performance ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The opening exchanges were tight and measured. Ismael Diaz registered the only on-target effort in that period, directing a close-range header straight at the goalkeeper, while South Africa’s Aubrey Modiba and Tshepang Moremi both had attempts blocked before the interval.
Jose Cordoba put Panama ahead in the 58th minute, converting from close range. The lead lasted barely eight minutes before Mbekezeli Mbokazi drew South Africa level, striking from outside the area to find the top-left corner past Orlando Mosquera.
Panama retook the lead with 14 minutes remaining. Jiovany Ramos met a Jose Luis Rodriguez cross to head home and restore the advantage, and the visitors did not permit a single further shot from that point until the final whistle.
The result gave Panama the edge in what had been a closely matched pair of fixtures, following a 1-1 draw between the two sides the previous week. Both nations will now direct their full attention to the World Cup.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
