The South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed on Friday that the much-anticipated Group C fixtures will take place in the City of Roses, where Bafana will go head-to-head with both Lesotho and Nigeria.

Earlier this year, OFM Sport reported that Bloemfontein was set to host the match against Nigeria, with an insider revealing that the city’s passionate support made it the obvious choice.

Bafana Bafana defender Aden McCarthy and Angola striker Ambrosini António Cabaça Salvador. Photo: Morgan Piek

Bafana currently sit at the top of Group C with 13 points from six matches. They are followed by Rwanda and Benin, which both have eight points. Nigeria’s Super Eagles are in fourth place with seven points, while Lesotho (six points) and Zimbabwe (four points) round out the group standings.

Last year, South Africa beat Zimbabwe 3–1 in a sold-out World Cup qualifier in Bloemfontein, and it was a result that set the tone for their current campaign.

Earlier in the year, South Africa played to a 1–1 draw against Egypt in Bloemfontein in the African Nations Championship qualifiers, while recently the 2025 Cosafa Cup was staged in the city as well.

South Africa faced Zimbabwe in the Cosafa Cup at the Toyota Stadium. Photo: Morgan Piek

Bafana reached the final of the Cosafa Cup but fell short in the final against Angola.

Adding to the excitement for local fans, Bafana Bafana will play back-to-back matches in Bloemfontein. Just days before the Nigeria clash, they will take on Lesotho in what is technically an away game, but it will be hosted at the same venue.

The match against Lesotho will be played at the Toyota Stadium on Friday, 5 August, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00. The high-stakes clash between Bafana and Nigeria will follow on Tuesday, 9 August, also kicking off at 18:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs