Lesotho to play World Cup qualifiers in Polokwane

Lesotho are moving their last two World Cup qualifiers from Bloemfontein to Polokwane after the Free State Stadium was ruled unfit for use because of the poor state of the pitch.

Lesotho does not have any venues in the kingdom that are up to international standard and has been using venues across South Africa in the last series of World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns to host their home games.

Their last ‘home’ game against South Africa was played at the Free State Stadium last month, but the pitch conditions came in for heavy criticism and the match was almost moved to the Petrus Molemela Stadium.

South Africa also used the Free State Stadium a few days later to host Nigeria, with more criticism meted out because the ground was in horrible condition.

Lesotho was, however, planning to complete its World Cup qualifying campaign at home to Nigeria on October 10 and Zimbabwe on October 13 in Bloemfontein, but the two matches will now be played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Confederation of African football officials said.

Lesotho sit on nine points in Group C after being awarded a 3-0 win from their March fixture against South Africa who fielded defaulter Teboho Mokoena in the game.

Zimbabwe are also forced to host their last ‘home’ game in Group C in South Africa because they do not have a suitable venue and have chosen Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban to play against Bafana Bafana on October 10.