Bafana Bafana’s mission to qualify for the Fifa World Cup for the first time since 2002 continues when South Africa hosts neighbours Lesotho on Friday.
The neighbouring countries clash in the qualifier for the 2026 world showpiece. The Group C clash will be at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane at 18:00.
Hollywoodbets Sports brings everything you need to know about the showdown in Limpopo.
Neighbours battle for crucial points in World Cup qualifiers
Bafana boss Hugo Broos, and his men will be eager to claim all three points and hopefully take control of Group C.
After four matches played, Bafana are in second place with seven points. They are level with top-of-the-table Rwanda and third-placed Benin.
A victory at home against Likuena will put the South Africans in a good position to qualify for the world showpiece.
The last time Bafana participated in the World Cup was in 2010 as hosts, their previous qualification was in 2002 when they were knocked out in the group stages.
Lesotho, who are fourth in the group with five points, have never taken part in the World Cup finals.
Being two points behind the leading sides might motivate Likuena to go all out against South Africa to give themselves a fair chance.
This is set to be an exciting clash between the Sadec region countries.
How to watch
The match will be broadcast on SABC 1, SABC Plus and SuperSport Channel 202 from 17:50.
Live commentary will be available on various SABC radio stations.
Betting odds
Bafana are favourites to clinch three points against Lesotho. South Africa have dominated this clash before, but the visitors have also claimed three victories in the past.
Those victories were mostly in the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup or the Chan both played by locally based players.
South Africa may be too strong as they selected some of their best players, including those who are plying their trade abroad.
2/9 Bafana | Draw 38/10 | Lesotho 12/1
FIFA World Cup Qualifier
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 20, 2025
One more sleep.....
⚽️ South Africa 🇿🇦 vs 🇱🇸 Lesotho
🗓 21 March 2025
⏰️ 18h00
🏟 Peter Mokaba Stadium
📺 SABC #FIFAWorldCupQualifier#BafanaPride@SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/alQlUr6TdV
Head-to-head
10.01.24 – Friendly – South Africa 0-0 Lesotho
13.07.21 – Cosafa – South Africa 4-0 Lesotho
04.08.19 – Chan – South Africa 0-3 Lesotho
28.07.19 – Chan – Lesotho 3-2 South Africa
18.06.16 – Cosafa – South Africa 1-0 Lesotho, SA won 2-1 on penalties
Players to watch
Bafana have welcomed back Lyle Foster, who plays for English club Burnley and will be the trusted man to get goals for the hosts.
Another star player who is back in the team is Percy Tau and will be eager to impress on his return.
For Lesotho, they will hope players such as goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane, who plays club football in South Africa for Orbit College, and Royal AM forward Sera Motebang help them overcome Bafana.
