Peter Mokaba Stadium ready for World Cup qualifier as Polokwane declares itself ready for more games

Matshelane Mamabolo

IF ENTHUSIASM were the criteria, Polokwane would host all major football matches in the country.

And to illustrate this point, there was excitement aplenty on Tuesday as the capital city of Limpopo announced they’d be hosting Bafana Bafana’s 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Lesotho next month.

Based on their excitement and willingness to make Safa feel welcomed and at home, along with their efforts to ensure the match would be a success, the PSL could also be swayed to grant them the rights to host the Nedbank Cup final, for which they’ve already put in a bid.

The city, the district (Capricorn Municipality), and the province have put on a united front, working collaboratively to ensure that the March 21 tie is a resounding success, as they seek to help the country’s senior national team qualify automatically for the global showpiece.

Concerted efforts have been made to ensure that the pitch of the 2010 World Cup venue, which was previously damaged “by the Premier dancing with Makhadzi” during a concert, will be in pristine condition on Matchday. Premiership matches have not been played at the venue since then, but this hiatus has allowed the city to repair the pitch, which already looks good for action.

Premier Poppy Ramathuba confidently proclaimed that the new Peter Mokaba Stadium could host a match “tomorrow.”

“When we approached Safa (to bid to host the match), the first thing they said to us was, ‘Remember what you guys have done to the stadium.’ We decided to host this launch and the announcement at this very stadium because we would have fixed it (the pitch).

“You guys say politicians like spinning, but we made a commitment to Safa; we don’t make promises. And now, the pitch is ready, and you can even play tomorrow.”

Mayor John Mpe added, “We will be communicating with the PSL to let them know the stadium will be ready from March 1. The team has been working around the clock, and the pitch is way different from what it was after that day when we were dancing with Makhadzi.

“Both Seshego and Old Peter Mokaba Stadiums are ready, and the two teams (Bafana and Lesotho) will be using them for training. With three stadiums available, there will no longer be an overload of the pitches.”

Tickets for the match will be sold at R70 for adults and R40 for children under 12, with a date to be announced later.

Meanwhile, the city and province are intent on bringing major sporting events to the region; they have bid for the Nedbank Cup final.

“We are targeting the Nedbank Cup final. Our discussions are at an advanced stage. We committed to the Premier that working together in this kind of model will allow us to bring more games to Polokwane.

“Why is it that with all the beautiful facilities we have, the games all go to KZN?

“And even rugby goes to Mbombela. Those venues are not better than Peter Mokaba Stadium. When you look at them closely, you can even see they are deteriorating.

“We are pushing and trying to have more games here.”