Last year, sports fanatics from all over the country flocked to the heart of South Africa, Bloemfontein, to witness a historic World Cup Qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Zimbabwe. The sold-out match was a testament to Mangaung’s passionate sporting spirit, with residents showing up in full support when it mattered most.
Following the success of that event, South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan revealed that there has been a significant increase in demand to host Bafana Bafana matches, with one province already expressing interest in hosting the upcoming clash against Nigeria later this year.
According to Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM) spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, the city will bid to have a World Cup qualifier match in Bloemfontein once more. “The city is going to bid for any prominent matches to be hosted in Mangaung, which also includes a World Cup Qualifier match,” he said.
In light of that, the municipality has been working diligently to ensure all preparations are in place. An initiative that is set to leverage sports for economic growth and social cohesion has been introduced. This concept aims to “position sports as a unifying and transformative force in Mangaung. With the right partnerships, resources, and commitment, sports can play a vital role in driving both economic prosperity and social unity in the region,” Khedama mentioned.
He further explained that the expected outcomes of this initiative will result in an increase in employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, improve youth engagement and establish a growth in tourism and investment in local infrastructure.
Clement Matroos
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 spokesperson, Qondile Khedama.){kind=link}