The Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein has officially been cleared to stage the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash between South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
The venue, also known as the Free State Stadium, had come under scrutiny after South Africa’s head coach Hugo Broos expressed concerns about the state of its playing surface. However, following an inspection, both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that the ground now meets the required standards.
“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,” FIFA and CAF said in a joint statement.
Match Details
The encounter, scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, is a crucial matchday eight fixture in the race to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Kick-off is set for 5:00 p.m. Nigeria time.
A High-Stakes Showdown
Nigeria and South Africa have built one of African football’s fiercest rivalries, with recent encounters producing tense battles and dramatic finishes. The Super Eagles will be seeking an away victory to boost their qualification hopes, while Bafana Bafana will aim to take advantage of home support in Bloemfontein.
Both sides are expected to name strong squads for the showdown, which is already generating excitement among fans across the continent.
