As excitement builds ahead of Bafana Bafana’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has made a heartfelt appeal to South Africans: show up in numbers and turn the Free State Stadium into a sea of support.
McKenzie took to social media, asking fans to “be the 12th player” on Tuesday night.
But he also had one strict request—leave anything green at home.
That colour, he reminded supporters, belongs to the Nigerian camp.
Match Confirmed After Pitch Inspection
There had been doubts over whether the clash would go ahead in Bloemfontein due to concerns about the stadium’s playing surface, which had been hit hard by winter weather.
For weeks, questions lingered over whether the venue was ready.
Those worries were finally put to bed after FIFA and CAF carried out a physical inspection.
Both organisations confirmed that enough progress had been made on the pitch for the game to go ahead as planned at the Free State Stadium.
FIFA and CAF Give the Green Light
In a joint message to South African Football Association (SAFA) CEO Lydia Monyepao, FIFA and CAF confirmed their approval of the venue, highlighting the improvements made in recent weeks.
“Considering the encouraging progress observed on the pitch, both organisations have agreed that the matches will proceed as originally scheduled at the Free State Stadium,” their statement read.
A City Steeped in Football Tradition
Bloemfontein, a city with a rich football heritage, is now preparing to host one of the most anticipated fixtures in the qualification campaign.
The atmosphere is expected to be electric as Bafana Bafana chase their dream of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Kick-off is set for 18:00, and fans across the country will be watching closely to see if the national team can take a big step toward qualification.