Bafana Bafana vs Lesotho: Kick-Off Time, Venue and Where to Watch Friday’s World Cup Qualifier

• South Africa plays Lesotho on Friday in a crucial World Cup Qualifier in Bloemfontein
• Bafana Bafana will go into the game knowing a win could put them at the forefront of automatic qualification
• Briefly News conducted an exclusive interview with a football analyst who broke down South Africa’s chances

Bafana Bafana will welcome Lesotho in a crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifier on Friday, 5 September, at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.

With just four games remaining in the qualifiers, South Africa currently sit at the top of their group with 13 points from six matches, five points clear of their closest rivals.

A victory on Friday, combined with favourable results elsewhere, could put them in a strong position against Nigeria on Monday, moving them closer to a spot at the 2026 World Cup in the United States.

The two sides last met in March in Lesotho, where South Africa won 2-0. That fixture, however, was overshadowed by the controversial participation of Teboho Mokoena, who was technically ineligible after accumulating two yellow cards.

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While Lesotho did not raise the issue within the 24-hour reporting window, the Nigerian Football Federation later complained. FIFA has yet to issue a ruling.

What did the football analyst say regarding the game?

In an exclusive interview with Briefly News, football analyst Mandla Biyela expressed confidence in Hugo Broos’ squad ahead of the match.

“Bafana Bafana have the quality to dominate this game. If they maintain their focus and execute their game plan, I see them securing another vital three points," Biyela said.

Biyela also noted that the team’s morale and tactical cohesion would be key. He pointed out that Broos’ players had shown resilience in recent fixtures and that leveraging their home advantage in Bloemfontein could be decisive.

According to Biyela, South Africa must stay disciplined at the back while taking calculated risks in attack to ensure maximum points.

"It will be vital for Bafana Bafana to take maximum points in their bid to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, their first appearance since 2010. However, that could take longer if South Africa face punishment for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena in the initial meeting with the Crocodiles," the analyst said.

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The game will be broadcast live on SABC Plus, SABC 2, and SuperSport at 1800 hours. In the other fixtures, Benin host Zimbabwe on the same day.

Broos released his 23-man Bafana Bafana squad to take part in both games trimming down from his early 48-man preliminary squad, and will be looking forward to securing all three points, especially against Lesotho.

Bafana Bafana players join training camp

Briefly News previously reported that on Monday, 1 September, the Bafana Bafana contingent trooped into training in preparation for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria, set for Friday, 5 September, and Monday, 8 September, respectively.

A viral picture of head coach Hugo Broos placing his hand on Orlando Pirates starlet Relebohile Mofokeng during the camp has stolen the spotlight.

Source: Briefly News