In a significant turn of events, the highly anticipated 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers for Bafana Bafana against Lesotho and Nigeria will go ahead at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein as originally planned. The decision comes after a recent physical inspection of the pitch by Fifa pitch inspectors and CAF officials, who had previously raised concerns about its condition.
The news is a major relief for Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. Earlier this week, Broos expressed his disappointment when Safa was informed that the larger Free State Stadium would not be available for the crucial World Cup qualifiers due to a playing surface that Fifa had deemed unsuitable. Now, the stadium's approval is welcome news for the national team's camp.
In a joint communication to Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao, both Fifa and CAF confirmed the venue's approval. The organisations cited “encouraging progress observed on the pitch” as the deciding factor. The statement from the two football bodies reads: “Considering the encouraging progress observed on the pitch, both organisations have agreed that the matches will proceed as originally scheduled at the Free State Stadium.”
The decision means that the matches will no longer be held at the smaller Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Rocklands, just outside Bloemfontein. This is particularly significant for Bafana Bafana, as the City of Roses has a reputation for being a fortress for the national team. As witnessed in the previous match against Zimbabwe, the passionate supporters in Bloemfontein can become the “12th player on match days,” providing a vital home-ground advantage.
The fixture against Nigeria, in particular, had been under close scrutiny in recent weeks. The match, which is set for Tuesday, September 9, with a 6pm kick-off, was a subject of concern due to the readiness of the playing surface following the harsh winter season. With the green light now granted, the focus shifts entirely to the action on the pitch and the performance of the players.
Bafana Bafana are currently in a training camp in Johannesburg, where they are fine-tuning their preparations for a critical pair of qualifiers. Their first challenge is a clash against Lesotho on Friday, September 5. Following that, they will turn their attention to the formidable Super Eagles of Nigeria next Tuesday. The team's preparation has been intense, and the confirmation of the venue provides a stable foundation for their final push before these key matches.
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