Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has called on Bafana Bafana supporters to fill the Free State Stadium for Tuesday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.
McKenzie took to social media to urge fans to “be the 12th player for our boys”.
However, he warned those attending the match not to wear green, as that’s the colour of Nigeria’s fans.
Will go ahead
Meanwhile, the highly anticipated qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Nigeria will go ahead at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein as originally planned, following a recent physical inspection of the pitch.
The fixture, set for Tuesday, 9 September, had been under scrutiny in recent weeks amidst concerns over the readiness of the playing surface following the harsh winter season.
However, those fears have now been allayed.
In a joint communication to South African Football Association (SAFA) CEO Lydia Monyepao, both FIFA and CAF confirmed the venue’s approval, citing “encouraging progress observed on the pitch” as the deciding factor.
FIFA World Cup ambitions
“Considering the encouraging progress observed on the pitch, both organisations have agreed that the matches will proceed as originally scheduled at the Free State Stadium,” the statement from FIFA and CAF read.
Bloemfontein, a city steeped in football tradition, will once again play host to a high-stakes encounter that could shape the trajectory of Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup ambitions.
Kick-off is at 18:00.
Will Bafana Bafana qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tonight?
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