Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has revealed how much it will cost the province to host Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against neighbours Lesotho next month in Polokwane.
At a press briefing on Monday evening, Premier Ramathuba, joined by MECs and the Mayors of Polokwane Municipality and Capricorn District, officially confirmed Bafana Bafana’s upcoming match in Limpopo, as reported by FARPost last December. They also addressed concerns about the pitch’s readiness for the crucial World Cup qualifier.
Hugo Broos’ troops will face COSAFA rival Lesotho in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Friday, 21 March, at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium. A few days later, they will fly to Benin to face the West Africans in matchday six of the qualifiers.
The stadium has recently gone through pitch rehabilitation after it was damaged during a music festival – Makhadzi’s historic one-woman show.
Betway Premiership matches scheduled to be played at the venue have since been moved to the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, which is situated adjacent to the original venue.
COST TO HOST BAFANA BAFANA AT THE NEW PETER MOKABA STADIUM REVEALED
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba confirmed that the cost of hosting the match at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium would be R4.7 million.
“We are giving money to SAFA. All these departments, tourism will provide accommodation, health facilities that are required, as you know we must have ambulances and emergency medical,” Premier Dr Ramathuba explained.
“So this is how we are partnering. That R4.7 million, we have broken it down in terms of the donation-in-kind that we are providing to SAFA. [I am explaining] so that you don’t go and say the money that was supposed to be used for social grants has been deposited to SAFA, no.
“We are currently within the services we are providing as a government, making sure that we cover everything. You know how it goes; they will be saying, ‘They can’t fix a street light, but they have given money to SAFA’. The whole point of this great initiative will benefit the province.”
This is the first Bafana Bafana match at the venue in 11 years. The last time Polokwane hosted a FIFA World Cup qualifier match was in 2016 against Senegal.
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