A major setback has apparently hit South Africa ahead of their World Cup qualifier at home against Nigeria next week, as the pitch at the match venue has been described as ‘very disappointing.’
Sports247 reports that South Africa are scheduled to host Nigeria next Tuesday in Bloemfontein, before which they will play ‘away’ to Lesotho at same venue this Friday, but the arena may not be in the best condition to host both matches.
This sordid verdict was passed by no less a person than Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, who reckoned that the pitch may not allow his players to put up their best performance during the crucial matches.
With seconds ticking away before the encounter with Lesotho and the potentially tougher one versus Nigeria on September 9th, Broos disclosed that he was alarmed by what he saw when he visited the venue.
The Belgian tactician moaned, “I’m a little bit disappointed. I was angry too when I was in Bloemfontein, and I saw the pitch. It’s really, really, very disappointing the way that it is.”
While acknowledging that Bloemfontein recently hosted a regional competition, Broos reckoned that the stadium’s groundsmen had at least six weeks to put the pitch back in top shape before the World Cup qualifiers resume.
Broos retorted, “They hosted COSAFA in June and then had six weeks to do the pitch. I’m disappointed with Bloemfontein.
“When I remember the efforts that other cities did for us to use their pitches … Port Elizabeth and Polokwane were wonderful. So, I’m disappointed that Bloemfontein couldn’t make the same efforts to give us a fantastic pitch to play on.”
Sports247 adds that it’s now left to be seen how bad the pitch truly is in Bloemfontein and if the Super Eagles’ star-studded squad would be able to shine on a rough surface.
As it were, Eric Chelle’s side needs victory against Rwanda at home this Saturday and away to South Africa next week Tuesday in order to get their World Cup qualification chances back on track, but the alarm raised by Broos has added a worrisome dimension to lingering tension in Nigeria’s camp.
