Bafana Bafana fans, mark your calendars!
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has officially announced the venue for the pivotal AFCON 2025 qualifier match taking place on October 11, 2024.
The senior men’s national team is gearing up for a crucial back-to-back qualifying showdown against Congo Brazzaville next month.
Venue Change Announcement
In an interesting turn of events, the first leg of this qualifier has been shifted from Bloemfontein to the iconic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
This news was shared by SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao during a Heritage Day celebration in Johannesburg.
She expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support shown in Bloemfontein during the recent World Cup qualifier, noting that the atmosphere was electric.
Monyepao shared, “Considering the support we received in June when Bafana Bafana faced Zimbabwe, we believe Gqeberha will provide the perfect backdrop for our team to secure maximum points at home before heading to Brazzaville.”
Reasons Behind the Venue Switch
However, the decision to change venues wasn’t made lightly.
Monyepao elaborated on the unforeseen circumstances that prompted this shift.
“There were certain issues beyond our control that forced us to move the game,” she explained.
Factors contributing to this decision included a rugby match scheduled at the Free State Stadium, as well as concerns about the pitch conditions.
Monyepao mentioned, “We were considering the events happening in Mangaung that weekend, and we realized that the pitch condition leading up to the game wouldn’t be suitable for such an important match.”
Choosing Gqeberha as the New Host
Ultimately, logistical challenges led to the decision to host the match in Gqeberha, a city already planned to host another Bafana match in November.
“We were notified of rugby games happening before our qualifier, along with various logistical issues.
After careful consideration, we decided it was best to move the match to Port Elizabeth,” she confirmed.
The match is set to kick off at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday, October 11th, at 7 PM.
Squad Updates from Coach Hugo Broos
In related news, coach Hugo Broos has revealed a preliminary squad from which he will select the final team to face Congo.
Notable inclusions are Orlando Pirates players Tshegofatso Mabasa and Thabiso Sesane, along with the returning Percy Tau and Luke Le Roux.
Additionally, sidelined Mamelodi Sundowns players Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso, who have been out for the last four games, are also part of the squad.
What’s next for Bafana Bafana? Fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches as the team aims for success in their qualifiers!