Bafana Bafana is set to return to Cape Town for the first time in nine years, as South Africa’s final qualifier for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations finals will take place in the Mother City, according to the fixture list released by the Confederation of African Football on Tuesday, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Here’s what’s happening in the Mother City this Halloweekend
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, 19 November, at the Cape Town Stadium, marking the last day of qualifiers for the 2025 tournament, when the remaining spots in the 24-team line-up will be determined.
Although South Africa has not yet secured qualification, they are in a strong position with two matches remaining in Group K.
A victory against Uganda in their next game, which will be held away in Kampala on Friday, 15 November, would guarantee their place in the finals in Morocco.
If they fail to win, they will have another opportunity to qualify against South Sudan in Cape Town.
The last time Bafana Bafana played in the City was in mid-2015, when they defeated Angola in a friendly match. This will mark the 12th international match held in Cape Town, but only the third qualifying encounter.
Under coach Gordon Igesund, South Africa won a World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic at the Cape Town Stadium in 2013. However, they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Zambia in a Cup of Nations qualifier in 2007, with Zambia’s Chris Katongo notably leading the charge.
Additionally, South African stadiums will host other qualifiers for nations unable to play at home due to inadequate facilities. Namibia and Zimbabwe will utilise the Orlando Stadium in Soweto for their respective matches against Cameroon and Kenya in Group J, while Lesotho, already eliminated, has relocated from Durban to Bloemfontein for their penultimate game in Group B against the Central African Republic.
Madagascar will play a crucial match in Group A against Tunisia at the Johannesburg Stadium, and Eswatini will continue to host their home games at the Mbombela Stadium, facing Guinea-Bissau in Group I on November 15.
Also read:
Picture: Bafana Bafana / Instagram
