South Africa plays back-to-back group C qualifications in the city of Roses, first in a “road” collision against Buren Lesotho, followed by a home game against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Bafana is currently at the top of the classification of the group C and have a healthy lead, but they are still not a road from booking their ticket to the US, Canada and Mexico for the worldwide showpiece 2026. Positive results against Lesotho and Nigeria would be a huge step to qualify for their first World Cup football, when the Tournament, when the Tournament.
Bafana Bafana -Coach Hugo Broos – Morgan Piek
Bafana qualified for the last time for the World Cup in 2002 in Japan and South Korea and finished third in group B behind Spain and Paraguay. However, they have included a memorable 1-0 win over Slovenia in the group stage.
The president of the Free State Sports Confederation, Edward Saunderson, said it is important to gather behind the national team and play their share as the so -called 12th man.
“There are two international games coming for Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein,” said Saunderson.
“The first is against Lesotho – it is technically their home game, but they have asked to play it here. The second is the big against Nigeria.
“It is our home game, and we hope to see a full stadium so that we can encourage the boys. For that game, nothing less than three points will be sufficient. We need everyone behind the team so that we can use the 12th man to our full advantage.”
In addition to the campaign on the field, the competitions also have a considerable economic value for the city through sports tourism, which benefits restaurants, hotels, guests, sellers and many others.
In 2025, Bloemfontein enjoyed a tariff share of Bafana Bafana matches, in which the national team played against Egypt in the city during the qualifications of Chan Tournament, while the Cosafa Cup 2025 was also performed in the city -where South Africa lost to Angola in the final.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI9CBJLR-IQLast year, in June, Bafana defeated Zimbabwe 3-1 in the FIFA World Cup qualifications, thanks to a brace of goals by the local hero, Thapelo Morena.
The collision against Lesotho will be played at 6:00 PM on Friday 5 September, while the confrontation with Nigeria takes place on Monday 9 September, also at 6:00 pm. Both competitions are performed at the Toyota Stadium.
Morgan Piek Ofm Sport
OFM
www.ofm.co.za
