FIFA has officially approved the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, as the venue for the highly anticipated World Cup qualifying clash between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana. The match is scheduled for September 9, 2025, and is expected to be a decisive fixture in Group C of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The approval follows weeks of uncertainty surrounding the stadium’s pitch conditions, which had raised concerns among officials and fans. After a joint inspection by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), both governing bodies confirmed that the venue met the required standards, citing “encouraging progress observed on the pitch” as the basis for their decision.
South Africa currently leads the group with 13 points from six matches, while Nigeria sits in fourth place with seven points. With only a few games left in the qualifying series, the Super Eagles must secure maximum points against both Rwanda and South Africa to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
The Free State Stadium will also host Lesotho’s home fixture against South Africa on September 5, as Lesotho lacks a FIFA-approved stadium. The dual use of the venue underscores its strategic importance in the region’s football calendar.
Fans and analysts alike are gearing up for what promises to be a high-stakes encounter, with national pride and World Cup dreams hanging in the balance.
