Lesotho Search for Favourable Stadium in South Africa for Clash With Nigeria in WCQ

• Lesotho are desperately in search of a favourable stadium in South Africa for their game against Nigeria
• Both teams are set for a crucial clash in their penultimate game of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
• Lesotho have hosted matches at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, and Free State Stadium

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers returning in October, Lesotho are in search of a favourable stadium ahead of their clash with Nigeria.

The Crocodiles will host the Super Eagles in a crucial fixture in South Africa, as their domestic facilities do not meet the required standards set by FIFA and CAF.

So far, they have played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, and the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

However, teams have complained about the state of the Free State Stadium, with Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle unimpressed about the pitch.

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Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos slammed the condition of the venue just before their 1-1 draw against Nigeria.

Lesotho are said to be negotiating with the South African Football Association, with the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium emerging as a potential venue for the October 6 clash with Nigeria.

The Secretary General, Mokhosi Mohapi, told Soccer Laduma:

"The negotiations are just at the beginning. It's not because only of the ground at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

"People bid to host games. People bid, and then it's what they can offer, then I have to weigh the two.

The alternative venue remains the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, even though there are concerns over the facility. Mohapi added:

"Depending on the deals. We will compare the two deals, then the one which is better..."

Just before their game against Nigeria, Broos has criticised the Free State Stadium, saying the facility should not host such a match of that magnitude. The tactician said via Brila:

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“I said already before we are not happy with the pitch. I said already before they said I don’t want to play here, it’s stupid because the pitch isn’t what we want to have.

“All the qualities we play, we play on very good pitches. This one is not so good, there is no reason why we play here against Nigeria, this is nonsense. We like to have a very good pitch like we had before.

South Africa currently lead the CAF qualification Group C with 17 points, Benin are second with 14 points, Nigeria are third with 11, while Lesotho have 8 points.

The final two matches are slated for October 6 and 13, with the Crocodiles taking on Nigeria and Zimbabwe, respectively.

The Super Eagles host Benin in their final match of the campaign at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

Lesotho warn FIFA

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Lesotho FA has warned FIFA of the implications of failure to sanction South Africa in the World Cup qualifiers.

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Bafana Bafana fielded an ineligible player in the World Cup qualifiers, and there are calls for the team to forfeit three points and three goals in the campaign.

Source: Legit.ng