The eThekwini Municipality and SAFA are in discussions about bringing Nigeria to Durban for a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match next September.

According to Sportswire, SAFA has proposed that the municipality choose which matches it would like to host until 2026.

Bafana Bafana, who drew 1-1 with the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a June World Cup qualifier, will host the West African nation on a proposed date of 8 September 2025. As a venue has yet to be selected, SAFA has asked eThekwini Municipality to choose which match they would like to host in Durban. The municipality has expressed interest in the Nigeria game.

Unlike many African football associations, SAFA does not own its stadiums and relies on municipalities to provide venues. A highly-placed source revealed that SAFA cannot unilaterally choose match locations. Municipalities must bid for games, similar to the process used for Springbok rugby matches. Early venue confirmation allows for ticket sales, as seen with the successful sales for the Springboks’ recent matches against Ireland and Portugal, and the upcoming Rugby Championship. Bafana Bafana’s past performance has hindered a similar approach.

SAFA president Danny Jordaan believes the national team’s recent success at the AFCON has increased interest from cities in hosting Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana matches. He highlighted the packed stadium for Bafana’s World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein as evidence of this renewed interest. “Let me tell you, cities all want Bafana now,” said Jordaan during the KZN Premier’s Cup in Ulundi this past weekend.  

“Bafana Bafana is in the top 10, Banyana is the AFCON champions and ranked number two in Africa, so both of our teams are now performing well and there is a demand for that.  

“You saw in Bloemfontein (when Bafana defeated Zimbabwe 3-1 in the World Cup qualifiers in June), the stadium was packed. There was another group outside the stadium, they didn’t have tickets but wanted to come in, we had to call the police to stop them and it is something we haven’t seen for a long time.”  

Sportswire previously reported that SAFA was close to an agreement with the Bloemfontein municipality to host World Cup matches, but those talks have cooled. Durban is now the frontrunner. Jordaan confirmed that one province had expressed interest in the Nigeria game.

“There is a province that has already said they want the Nigeria game,” Jordaan confirmed, before diverting and looking at SAFA KZN chairperson Kwenza Ngwenya.

“Look at him (Ngwenya), he’s looking at his phone now,” said Jordaan while laughing when he was trying to get the confirmation from Ngwenya.  

However, Ngwenya, after he stopped looking at his phone, confirmed that the city of Durban wants to host the FIFA World Cup match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.  

“We want it (the Nigeria game) in Durban,” Ngwenya said after he stopped looking at his phone!