By
World governing body FIFA has ended the uncertainty over the venue for Bafana Bafana’s crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on Friday, confirming that the match will go ahead at Toyota Stadium.
Doubts arose earlier this week after the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) revealed that FIFA had raised concerns about the pitch conditions at the Free State venue, which is shared by rugby and football teams.
LeFA initially indicated that FIFA had recommended moving the match to Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Mangaung.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos reacted angrily to the possibility of a late venue change, expressing his frustration during a press conference in Johannesburg.
“We got the message on Saturday that we can't play at the Free State Stadium because of the condition of the pitch.
"Lesotho also didn't know anything about it, but both teams must now just accept it as it is. I got to see the pitch last week and it was really awful,” Broos said.
However, SABC Sport can confirm that FIFA has approved a rehabilitation plan for the Toyota Stadium surface, meaning the game will proceed as originally scheduled.
LeFA has also confirmed there will be no relocation for the high-stakes qualifier.
