By
FIFA has issued a directive to relocate the World Cup Qualifier between Lesotho and Bafana Bafana from Toyota Stadium to Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein.
The game was initially scheduled for the Free State Stadium, but SABC Sport understands that CAF, after seeing pictures of the pitch during a rugby game, decided to act.
CAF and FIFA sent officials to inspect the pitch, and they took this decision, as Broos explains.
"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 how it is."
With Bafana Bafana also scheduled to play their all-important clash against Nigeria next Tuesday, it’s still not clear if it will also take place at the rugby stadium in Bloemfontein. Broos says they don’t want to focus on these issues for now.
There were already signs last week that something was not right in Bloemfontein, when Broos changed plans for the team to travel early to the Free State and decided that they would assemble and start their preparations in Johannesburg. The Belgian-born coach didn’t mince his words when discussing the Toyota Stadium pitch.
"I went to go and see the pitch last week already, and it was really awful."
Meanwhile, Broos has also confirmed the call-ups of Orlando Pirates midfielder Sipho Mbule, who replaces his teammate Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi, who got injured during their 3-0 win over Chippa United on Sunday.
Stellenbosch defender Thabo Moloisane has also come in for German-based defender Ime Okon, as Broos confirms the difficulties with injuries.
Mbule is making a return to the Bafana squad for the first time in four years. He was part of the senior men’s national team when Broos started with Bafana back in September 2021 and made the preliminary squads on two occasions last year.
The 73-year-old mentor seems to believe in Mbule’s immense talent.
"I think everyone can agree that Sipho Mbule is a player with many qualities, and I have to admit, over the past years, we have not seen the qualities we expected to see from a player like Mbule.
"He is experienced, and he is one of those players who can play in that Themba Zwane position."
