sportskeeda
According to Sportswire, Mbombela Stadium is set to host Bafana Bafana’s final home match in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda next month.
Final details are being confirmed, with an official date to be announced once both sides reach a consensus. The provisional date for this crucial match is 13 September.
This match against Rwanda follows Bafana Bafana’s home clash with Zimbabwe on 6 September. Similar to several other member associations, Zimbabwe is unable to hold home games owing to their stadiums failing to meet CAF and FIFA standards.
Broos Advocates for a Better Pitch Following Toyota Stadium Issues
Bafana Bafana garnered four points from their last two qualifiers – winning against Lesotho 3-0 on Friday and drawing 1-1 with Nigeria on Tuesday. However, coach Hugo Broos voiced strong displeasure regarding the Toyota Stadium pitch.
The field’s poor state, characterized by brown patches and an uneven surface from a rugby match, obstructed the team’s capability to implement their favored playing style.
Broos firmly asserted that the team would be more discerning in choosing venues for future matches. He rejected the notion that the poor pitch conditions were a deliberate tactic.
“Trust me, I was here two weeks ago, and I don’t want to reiterate what I previously said to the management of Toyota Stadium,” Broos stated during the press conference after the game against Nigeria.
“A quality pitch is essential for playing football.”
He noted that fields in other cities such as Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Polokwane have consistently been adequate, insisting, “For our next match, we must choose the right venue. It’s crucial, as even for us, Tuesday was not advantageous against that opponent.”
Mbombela Stadium is also scheduled to host the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch this Saturday.
The Final Push for 2026 World Cup Qualification
With a victory in either of their upcoming matches, Bafana Bafana can secure an automatic berth in the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The team is particularly motivated to perform well against Rwanda, seeking to avenge their 2-0 defeat in November 2023, which occurred on a similarly difficult, waterlogged pitch.
