Broos: I call it the Bloemfontein saga

By Benjamin Nyirenda

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has raised concerns over the change in venue for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.

Lesotho is believed to have received a directive from FIFA to change the venue from the Toyota Stadium to the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium this Friday. Broos expressed his feelings on the matter in a national team press conference held at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday afternoon.

“I call it the Bloemfontein saga. We went to see the pitch last week and it was aweful, really aweful. Such a bad pitch. There have been concerns from FIFA and CAF. Suddenly, we got a message on Saturday that we don’t play in the stadium (Toyota Stadium) because of the condition of the pitch. We didn’t know where we were going to play. We contacted Lesotho and Lesotho didn’t know anything about it. Yesterday (Sunday), we received a letter that we are going to play in the second stadium (Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium) in Bloemfontein. The little stadium and not the big stadium. How is it possible? I don’t know. The first game is in Lesotho, which organizes it, so we have to accept what it is. I don’t know where that decision comes and why suddenly CAF and FIFA control the pitches. This is the decision they have made and we have to take it like it is,” Broos observed. Bafana will be training at Dobsonville Stadium until Wednesday before travelling to Bloemfontein for the Group C qualifier against the neighbouring Lesotho. Bafana are on top of the group on 13 points, five ahead of second-placed Rwanda.

The game on Friday is a must-win game, according to the coach.

“We can’t afford to lose points against Lesotho. That doesn’t mean I underestimate that opponent. That’s the biggest mistake we can. We have to be careful and we have to keep the pressure on our opponents,” Broos concluded.