Nicaragua Coach Juan Cruz Real Picks Youth vs Bafana Bafana as 2030 World Cup Build Begins

Nicaragua Coach Real on facing World Cup-bound Bafana  

After Friday’s friendly with South Africa at Orlando Stadium, Nicaragua fly to Asunción to face Paraguay. Coach Real says the Bafana match is key prep for the 2026 World Cup hosts.

‘They’re a very dynamic team’ Nicaragua boss Real on playing Bafana Bafana...

Nicaragua’s new head coach Juan Cruz Real is excited about testing his young squad against South Africa on Friday night. With Bafana Bafana already qualified for the World Cup, Real called them a “dynamic” side ahead of the match at Orlando Stadium.

The Argentine has gone with a youthful lineup as he starts planning for the 2030 World Cup cycle. Still, he said playing the hosts will be a valuable learning experience for his team.

“We have the opportunity to come and play against a team that is going to the World Cup and that was very important for us in terms of gaining more experience,” Real said.

“We are a national team developing as a team, starting a new process. For us it is very important to compete against teams that are in better shape and higher in the FIFA rankings as well.

“For us it is very pleasant to be here and play these kinds of games. It is a good opportunity for us.”

Real says he’s watched Bafana Bafana’s recent matches and has a good grasp of the way they look to play.

“We have been watching their last several games,” he said. “It is a good team, a very dynamic team. Most of the players play in the local league, however some of them play abroad, like Lyle Foster. Some play in MLS (Major League Soccer).

“It is a very competitive team. They have a very clear style of play, hopefully it will be a good experience for us. We are expecting to compete well with them.”

No matter how Friday’s game ends, Real says his squad will come away with valuable lessons from the experience.

“It is a new experience for us. One of the things that we need to look at is trying to play these types of games that will force us to perform at the highest level possible, to feel in our body and our brain these types of games and make us better.

“We know we are going to play against a World Cup team, but we need to try and represent the country in the best manner possible,” he said.

Real included five uncapped players in his squad. Attacker Efraon Mejia is the youngest at just 17, and he’s already played for Nicaragua’s U20 team.

Most of the squad is based at home, with a few playing for clubs in Costa Rica. The exception is 19-year-old Amadeus Zamora, who was born in Germany and features for Chemnitzer FC’s U20s in the German fourth division.

1 DAY TO GO! ⏳🇿🇦
The wait is almost over! Tomorrow, Bafana Bafana goes head-to-head with Nicaragua, and we need YOU to bring the heat! Tomorrow is also #BafanaFriday so let’s pack the stands in green and gold and show them our mzansi spirit! 🔥⚽

📅 Friday, 29 May 2026
🏟️… pic.twitter.com/Z7UHf0e94y

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) May 28, 2026

Forward Ariagner Smith, who plays his club football in Kazakhstan, made the squad but won’t be available against South Africa since the game is outside the official international window.

He will, though, link up with Nicaragua after this game. The team heads from Johannesburg to Paraguay to help another World Cup-bound side get ready for next month’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA. They face Paraguay in Asunción on June 3.

Nicaragua come into Friday’s friendly on a rough run, losing six of their last eight games. They also finished bottom of their World Cup qualifying group back in November.