The Lesotho Football Association (LFA) are confident that they will get a full house in Bloemfontein this September when their national side takes on Bafana Bafana in a crucial Group C fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Although the match will be played in Bloemfontein, Lesotho will host it as their “home” fixture, as the crunch game can’t be played in Maseru.
Back in March, Bafana Bafana beat Lesotho 2-0 in Polokwane, in a match that is still widely discussed.
Lesotho still have an outside chance of qualifying for their first-ever World Cup. However, South Africa top the group and will be back in action in Bloemfontein just days later, when they face the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Toyota Stadium.
The LFA will be counting on strong support in Bloemfontein, where a large number of Lesotho nationals live. Communications manager for the LFA, Mikia Kilati, told Bloemfontein that the city feels like a “home away from home”.
“Bloemfontein is home away from home for us,” said Kilati. “Our team has always risen to the occasion in big games, and we’re confident it will be the same when we face Bafana. For many Basotho, Bloemfontein still feels like home.
“Of course, South Africa has the advantage in terms of experience, quality players, and a seasoned coach. They’ve been to the Africa Cup of Nations numerous times and the World Cup as well. But these are the games where our team love to step up against the big guns, and that’s what I expect when we play Bafana.”
This FIFA World Cup Qualifier between Lesotho and South Africa kicks off at 18:00 on Friday, 5 September. – MORGAN PIEK
