The Free State province will host the highly anticipated 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Zimbabwe next month. Gauteng province will have to go back to the drawing board after Premier Panyaza Lesufi had mentioned that he wants all the big matches, and events in the Gauteng province.
Last month, Lesufi was quoted saying that the province would pull all the stops to bring the qualifier match against Nigeria to Gauteng.
Safa confirmation
On Thursday, the South African Football Association (Safa) announced that Bafana will host their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on June 11.
Safa acting CEO Dr Thulani Ngwenya confirmed the news. He said the South African senior men’s national team will return to Bloemfontein. This will be for the first time since the 2010 Fifa World Cup. They last played in the city when they beat France 2-1 in the global Fifa tournament 14 years ago.
“We are looking forward to playing this match in Bloemfontein. And we appeal to the fans to come out in numbers to support the team. The fans play such a crucial role for the players. A packed Free State Stadium would serve as a fantastic boost for them,” Dr Ngwenya said.
Details of kick-off time and ticket prices to be announced
Coach Hugo Broos’ charges are in Group C and they resume the qualifiers for the tournament. The tournament is to be played in the US, Canada and Mexico. With the mouthwatering away clash against Nigeria on Friday, June 7 2024.
Safa will communicate details about the kick-off time and the ticket prices in the coming days.
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