South Africa miss a penalty, draw to Nicaragua 0-0 ahead of 2026 World Cup

Nicaragua's defense and a huge game by goalkeeper Adonis Pineda put South Africa in a deadlock.

The African nation looked hopeless in front of goal, not precisely what they want just a few days ahead of their 2026 World Cup debut!

We get to the final stages and the luminous board marks six more minutes of action.

South Africa are desperate to get the one goal that gives them the win!

The amount of chances that South Africa haven't been able to put away is crazy! Now the shot went low and wide of the goal.

Adonis Pineda with a huge double save!!! What a performance by the Nicaraguan goalkeeper!

First on a header deflection and then after the rebound! What a game from the keeper!

Mofokeng tried his luck from distance but it was a weak, deflated shot!

Nothing much has happened as the game has entered a lethargic pace. 

South Africa are struggling to find openings right now.

Bradley Cross, Jayden Adams, and Nkosinathi Sibisi enter the game.

Mbatha, Okon, and Kabini go out.

Maseko cuts inside and tries a great shot but once again Pineda saves Nicaragua!

The goalie is the reason why this game is still 0-0!

Once again, Appollis creates damage on the wing and puts a great cross. However, Mofokeng whiffed the ball entirely.

What seemed as a very poor effort from South Africa got deflected and it almost went over Pineda.

The reliable Nicaraguan keeper was able to control it, though.

The Orlando Pirates winger has done in seven minutes what South Africa couldn't do as a whole in the first half.

Pure dribbling and blazing speed to create huge harm!

South Africa start putting up pace with recently-subbed in Appollis!

However, Pineda was able to control both chances in quick succession.

Oliver Bello and Jefferson Rivera come in for Nicaragua. The one coming off are Orozco, and Sait.

South Africa will also make some subs, including the goalkeeper! Goss, Sebelebele, Moremi, Foster, and Zwame get subbed off.

Oswin Appollis, Thapelo Maseko, Iqraam Rayners, Relebohile Mofokeng and Sipho Chaine (GK) come in for the Bafana Bafana.

The first half showed clear things: South Africa have the better roster, faster and more physical. However, they have no punch.

Nicaragua have a solid defense, but have still allowed a couple of chances that the Bafana Bafana haven't been able to put away.

South Africa have been better, but Nicaragua's defense has been very solid.

Lyle Foster's missed penalty goes down as the clearest chance of the first half. Bitter faces from the South African team as they head to the locker room!

Justice by the soccer gods! Lyle Foster puts the ball straight into the post!

Dubious run from Foster ahead of the shot, and that might even be the cause of why the shot went straight to the wood!

The Bafana Bafana get a huge chance as Sebelebele falls in the box and the referee calls for a penalty!

However, it seems like a clear dive from the South African as the Nicaraguan side complains to the referee.

Adonis Pineda tried to control a what was an easy cross from South Africa but Matuludi's body impacted the Nicaraguan keeper who fell hard to the floor.

Pineda is now receiving medical attention.

South Africa had a great position to harm from a free kick but Toremi sent it to the moon!

The Bafana Bafana are wasting plenty of opportunities to get in front!

Nicaragua's defense was surprised and that allowed South Africa to have a clear chance at goal. However, the defense was able to adjust last-second to avoid any harm!

Nicaragua found some space through the legs of Raheem Cole who cut inside and tried a long-distance shot. However, it was pretty high!

Then, South Africa got into the attack and also made a high shot far off Adonis Pineda's goal.

Once again, South Africa exploit the right side to give Nicaragua trouble. This time it was Matuludi that got deep to send a dangerous cross that Nicaragua were able to defend.

A bit of retaliation by Nicaragua. Great cross off a free kick that Moncada is able to head, but the effort was weak and wide.

The Pinoleros at least showing signs of attack now.

Huge play by South Africa as Sebelebele makes a great play on the wing and he crosses, however, Zwane wasn't able to re-direct the ball towards the goal!

What a miss by the Bafana Bafana!

After a corner kick, the ball dwindled outside of the box, Nicaragua tried to make something out of it but Moncada's shot was far wide.

Nicaragua know what stepping into South Africa's box feels like at least, though the Bafana Bafana were quick to recover the ball.

Nicaragua immediately retreat, as South Africa seek to get more space in between the Nicaraguan defense.

South Africa vs Nicaragua is underway at the Orlando Amstel Arena!

The last details are being worked on for Nicaragua!

The match will air on SABC, public broadcaster. There is no official broadcast in the United States, hence it's key for you to stay with Bolavip so you don't miss a beat of this friendly ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Nicaragua will play with Adonis Pineda; Joab Gutierrez, Justing Cano, Ebert Martinez, Oliver Orozco; Jason Coronel, Raheem Cole, Jonathan Moncada, Jacob Montes; Jorge Garcia, Leyner Moses,

It's a 4-3-3 attack formation for the Bafana Bafana! We see some rotations and that starts at goal with Ricardo Goss. The back four will have Thabang Matuludi, Ime Okon, Olwethu Makhanya, and Samukele Kabini. In the midfield, Sphephelo Sithole and Thalente Mbatha will bring balance, as captain Themba Zwane will be in task of creating goalscoring opportunities. Up front: Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster, and Kamogelo Sebelebele.

Welcome to our Live Blog!

South Africa are back in a World Cup for the first time since 2010, and they want to go out on a bang! That all starts with a win against Nicaragua today.

Stay with us for all the action and minute‑by‑minute updates of this matchup!