South Africa will play back-to-back Group C qualifiers in the City of Roses, first in an “away” clash against neighbours Lesotho, followed by a home fixture against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Bafana currently top the Group C standings and hold a healthy lead, but they are still some way off from booking their ticket to the USA, Canada, and Mexico for the 2026 global showpiece. 

Positive results against Lesotho and Nigeria would be a massive step towards qualifying for their first Football World Cup since 2010, when the tournament was hosted on home soil.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. Photo: Morgan Piek

Before that, Bafana last qualified for the World Cup in 2002 in Japan and South Korea, finishing third in Group B behind Spain and Paraguay. They did, however, record a memorable 1–0 victory over Slovenia in the group stages.

The President of the Free State Sports Confederation, Edward Saunderson, said it’s important to rally behind the national team and play their part as the so-called 12th man.

“There are two international games coming up for Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein,” said Saunderson.
 “The first one is against Lesotho – it’s technically their home game, but they’ve asked to play it here. The second is the big one against Nigeria.

“It’s our home game, and we’re hoping to see a packed stadium so we can cheer the boys on. For that match, nothing less than three points will do. We need everyone behind the team so that we can use the 12th man to our full advantage.”

Beyond the action on the field, the matches also carry significant economic value for the city through sports tourism, which benefits restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, vendors, and many others.

Bloemfontein has enjoyed a fair share of Bafana Bafana games in 2025, with the national team having played against Egypt in the city during the CHAN Tournament Qualifiers, while the 2025 COSAFA Cup was also staged in the city, where South Africa lost to Angola in the final.

Last year, in June, Bafana beat Zimbabwe 3-1 in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, courtesy of a brace of goals by the local hero, Thapelo Morena.

The clash against Lesotho will be played on Friday, 5 September, at 18:00, while the showdown with Nigeria takes place on Monday, 9 September, also at 18:00. Both matches will be staged at the Toyota Stadium.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek