Nothing has changed; Free State Stadium will host Bafana Bafana matches against Lesotho and Nigeria over the next week.
In the first match, Lesotho, who play their home matches in South Africa, will take on Bafana Bafana on Friday, 5 September, before Bafana Bafana play as a home team against Nigeria on Tuesday, 9 September.
Both matches are FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The fixtures had been under scrutiny in recent weeks amidst concerns over the readiness of the playing surface following the harsh winter season and there were reports that the matches could be moved to the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.
“The highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup 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,” stated the South African Football Association (SAFA).
In a joint communication to SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao, both FIFA and CAF confirmed the venue’s approval, citing “encouraging progress observed on the pitch” as the deciding factor.
“Considering the encouraging progress observed on the pitch, both organizations have agreed that the match will proceed as originally scheduled at the Free State Stadium,” the statement from FIFA and CAF read.
Bafana Bafana are currently in camp in Johannesburg, fine-tuning preparations for the critical pair of qualifiers.
“With the green light now granted, attention shifts firmly to the pitch—both in terms of its condition and the players who must perform on it. Bloemfontein, a city steeped in football tradition, will once again play host to high-stake encounters that could shape the trajectory of Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup ambitions,” added SAFA.
