Bafana Bafana to host Seychelles and Nigeria at FNB Stadium

Bafana Bafana have not taken their matches to the Calabash since their 3-1 win over Burkina Faso over a year ago

The South African Football Association (Safa) has confirmed that Bafana Bafana will play their next two matches at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

Stuart Baxter’s men are looking to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Cameroon. They have already played two matches thus far – a win over Nigeria away from home and a draw against Libya.

The news will come as a relief for the people of Gauteng, who last had the luxury of watching the 1996 Afcon champions at any of their stadiums over a year ago.

Bafana are currently placed second on the Group E log with four points, and they will be looking to use this home advantage to collect as many points as possible.

Safa released the following statement on Thursday morning:

Bafana Bafana will make a return to the FNB Stadium in October and November this year to host Seychelles and Nigeria in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

South Africa last played at the venue almost a year ago (Saturday, 10 October 2017) when they thrashed Burkina Faso 3-1 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with goals from Percy Tau, Themba Zwane and Sibusiso Vilakazi.

Stuart Baxter’s men will play Seychelles in back to back home and away matches – the first one scheduled for Saturday, 13 October, with a 15h00 kickoff.

The second will take place on Tuesday, 16 October at Stade Linite in Seychelles at 16h30 local time (18h30 South African time) – Seychelles is two hours ahead of South Africa.

Bafana Bafana will then host the clash against the Super Eagles at the 2010 World Cup Final venue on Saturday, 17 November in their penultimate 2019 AFCON qualifier. Kick off is also 15h00.

Bafana Bafana are in second position in Group E after two matches, following the victory over Nigeria and goalless draw against Libya earlier this month (Saturday, 8 September) in Durban, while the Super Eagles are in third place with three points after getting their campaign back on track with a 3-0 win over Seychelles.

Libya, who defeated the Islanders 5-1 in the first round of qualifiers, have the same number of points with South Africa, but top the group due to a better goal difference.

Seychelles are yet to collect points, and are bottom of the table.

Bafana Bafana’s last match in the qualifiers will be away to Libya on the weekend of 22/23 March next year.

The 2019 AFCON will be played in June/July in Cameroon.

Bafana Bafana AFCON qualifiers:

13 October 2018

vs Seychelles

FNB Stadium

Johannesburg

15h00

16 October 2018

vs Seychelles

Stade Linite