Game-changer for Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualification hopes
World Cup boost Bafana Bafana could play all four of their remaining World Cup qualifiers on home soil after Lesotho confirmed they will host the game between the two names in Bloemfontein. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Bafana Bafana’s bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America has received a massive boost after the venue for their game against Lesotho was confirmed.
Bafana sit at the top of Group C of the qualifiers, five points ahead of second-placed Rwanda. On Thursday, South Africa heard they will not have to travel at all for their September 5 away game against Lesotho, which will be hosted in Bloemfontein.
This is because the Mountain Kingdom does not have stadiums that meet FIFA’s minimum requirements to host international games.
Four days after the clash against Lesotho, Hugo Broos’ men will host Nigeria in a game that could go a long way in deciding the group.
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Bafana’s away game against Zimbabwe could also be hosted in South Africa for the same reason. The Warriors have so far played two of their three away games in Johannesburg and Durban, with one played in Butare, Rwanda.
South Africa still have the possibility of a points deduction hanging over them for their blunder in fielding Teboho Mokoena in their qualifier against Lesotho. Should they get the maximum punishment, their 2-0 win over Lesotho will be overturned into a 3-0 loss, and three points will be deducted and given to the winning team.
Lesotho would then surge up to second in Group C, a single point behind South Africa. But, with Bafana Bafana set to play all four of their remaining games on home soil, Broos’ men will be confident of booking their place in the World Cup – points deduction or no points deduction.
Fortunately, Lesotho did not file a complaint within the required time, and they declined to go ahead with the complaint after being pushed by the Nigeria Football Federation.
With momentum on their side and the advantage of familiar conditions, Bafana Bafana are in a prime position to return to football’s grandest stage. With four home fixtures remaining, Bafana Bafana have never had a clearer shot at redemption on the world stage.
IOL Sport