Zimbabwe will play their home match against Lesotho in South Africa during the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.
The Rufaro Stadium is still being renovated, so the country does not yet have a Confederation of African Football-certified stadium to host international
The Warriors’ first two games against Rwanda and Nigeria were played in Rwanda, and they will have to play back-to-back matches against Lesotho and South Africa somewhere outside the country.
It is understood that the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Normalisation Committee, which has yet to make the announcement public, has settled for South Africa.
While the country is known, the city is yet to be decided by the association, which stated that it would be cheaper logistically for the Warriors to fulfill the two fixtures.
“The Warriors-Lesotho game will be played in South Africa; what’s left is confirmation on the exact city,” the source told Soccer24. “The Normalisation Committee chose South Africa because it is obviously cheaper, since the Warriors will also play Bafana Bafana in South Africa days later.”
The ZIFA Normalisation Committee has also factored in the support base for the Warriors, who are now strangers playing home qualifiers in South Africa.
”Also, the fact that there are many Zimbabweans in South Africa clearly means the team will have support, which is also another fact that necessitated the decision made,” added the source.
Zimbabwe, who are in Group C with two points from their opening two matches against Rwanda and Nigeria, will play Lesotho and South Africa between June 3 and 10.
