They are a very dynamic team, Nicaragua coach Real on facing Bafana Bafana

The Argentine has selected a youthful squad as he aims to build for the next four year cycle leading up to the 2030 World Cup, but believes they will gain a lot from the experience of taking on their hosts.

“We have the chance to come and compete against a team that is heading to the World Cup, and that was very significant for us in terms of gaining more experience,” Real said.

“We are a national team that is growing together, beginning a fresh campaign. For us it is really important to compete against sides that are in better condition and also higher in the FIFA rankings.

“For us it is a great pleasure to be here and to play these kinds of matches. It is a valuable opportunity for us.”

Real says he has analysed Bafana’s recent matches and understands the style of football they aim to play.

“We have been observing their recent games,” he said. “It is a good side, a very dynamic side. Most of the players are based in the domestic league, but some play overseas, like Lyle Foster. Some play in MLS (Major League Soccer).

“It is a highly competitive team. They have a very distinct style of play, hopefully it will be a good experience for us. We are looking forward to competing well with them.”

Whatever the outcome on Friday, Real says his players will learn a great deal from the match.

“It is a fresh experience for us. One of the things we need to focus on is trying to play these sorts of games that will push us to perform at the very highest level, to feel in our bodies and minds these types of games and improve us.

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

Real has five uncapped players in his squad. At 17, attacking player Efraín Mejía is the youngest and has previously played for the country’s under 20 team.

Almost all the players are domestically based, with a few from clubs in nearby Costa Rica and 19 year old Amadeus Zamora, who was born in Germany and plays for the under 20 side of fourth tier Chemnitzer FC.

Striker Ariagner Smith, who plays club football in Kazakhstan, was named in the squad but cannot feature against South Africa because the match falls outside the international window.

He will, however, be available for Nicaragua when they fly from Johannesburg to Paraguay to help another World Cup bound country prepare for next month’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States. They take on Paraguay in Asunción on June 3.

Nicaragua go into Friday’s international having lost six of their last eight matches and finishing last in their World Cup qualifying group last November.