The South African Football Association has confirmed that Bafana Bafana will host their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, 21 March 2025.
The match will mark the continuation of South Africa's campaign in the World Cup qualifiers as coach Hugo Broos' team faces their COSAFA neighbours before traveling to Benin for their second qualifier.
This announcement was made during a press briefing held by local authorities and the provincial government on Monday evening, where it was also confirmed that the stadium is set to be ready for the fixture.
Initial concerns over the readiness of the pitch were raised after the surface was damaged following a music concert held in December 2024. However, provincial government officials invited members of the media to inspect the pitch, assuring them that the stadium will host its first match of the year in the coming weeks, ahead of the World Cup qualifier.
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SAFA President Dr. Danny Jordaan expressed the federation's ongoing commitment to taking Bafana Bafana to various parts of the country, noting that hosting the match in Polokwane is part of this strategy.
"Hosting this game in Polokwane, Limpopo, is a continuation of our commitment to taking the team to different parts of the country. We hope to see the passionate and packed stadiums we saw in Mangaung, Gqeberha, and Cape Town during the team's unbeaten run in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last year. Now it is Polokwane's turn to fill up the stadium," Dr. Jordaan said.
Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba also emphasized the importance of the match for the province.
"This match is not just another fixture on the football calendar, but it is a momentous occasion for our city, our province, and of course, for our country as we rally behind our boys in their quest to secure a spot in football's grandest stage," Ramathuba commented.
The kickoff time and ticketing information for the upcoming fixture will be communicated by SAFA in the coming days. The match is expected to attract significant attention from fans, as Bafana Bafana seek to stay ahead in their World Cup qualification campaign.
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