The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 11 June 2024, will kick off at 6 PM, the South African Football Association (SAFA), has said.
FIFA had initially scheduled the match to kick off at 9 PM but SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao said they requested a switch to a 7:30 PM start to accommodate the fans. <a href="https://www.safa.net/2024/05/11/bafana-vs-zimbabwe-fifa-world-cup-clash-to-kick-off-at-18h00/">Said Monyepao</a>:
<blockquote>
We wanted the game to kick off at 19h30 because this is the traditional start of late matches in South Africa, and given that it is a midweek match, it accommodates those who are coming from work and have other engagements.
But ultimately we were given a 6 pm kick-off and the decision was final. So, the match between Bafana Bafana and Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 11 June 2024 will kick off at 18h00.
We call upon all fans to fill up the stadium and support the boys, make sure that they feel the love when they play their first match at home since the Bronze medal achievement at the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire a few weeks ago.
</blockquote>
According to SAFA, the gates will open at 3 PM and the tickets are priced at R50.00 for adults. Kids, scholars and students will pay R20.00 (school uniform and student cards required for over 12-year-olds). Tickets are available at TicketPro outlets, Spar, SuperSpar, Putco, Postnet etc.
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Samuel Eto’o has said he is baffled by South Africa’s performance on international platforms including the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Cameroonian who is a former professional football player who played for top clubs like Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea, wonders why the South African national team, known as Bafana Bafana, consistently underperforms in the tournament. Eto’o believes that the South African League (PSL) is well-organised and one of the best in Africa, so he doesn’t understand why the national team doesn’t perform better. He told IOL:
<blockquote>
I am baffled as to why Bafana Bafana have constantly underperformed at the Africa Cup of Nations. The South African League (PSL) is well-organised and one of the best in Africa, so I do not understand why the national team is not that good.
</blockquote>
Some people have suggested that the poor performance of Bafana Bafana could be attributed to the management of the football association, which is led by the ANC Mayor, a political party that is considered corrupt and inefficient. Others argue that although the South African League is strong and competes in continental tournaments, it has many foreign players from countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi, Uganda, and even Brazil. When these foreign players return to their home countries, they strengthen their own national teams rather than South Africa’s. Despite this, some believe that the resources and organisation of the league should enable South Africa to have a stronger national squad.
Eto’o is not the only one who questions South Africa’s potential. Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, <a href="https://sportsbrief.com/football/56852-effs-julius-malema-demands-removal-danny-jordaan-accuses-safa-president-disrupting-football/">has demanded the removal of Danny Jordaan</a> as the President of the South African Football Association (SAFA). 
With Bafana Bafana losing their opening AFCON 2-0 to Mali, Jordaan’s leadership has faced further scrutiny. The team will now aim to turn things around in their upcoming matches against Namibia and Tunisia. Criticism has been voiced on social media, with many expressing disappointment with the current state of South African football and calling for leadership changes.
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