Head coach Hugo Broos is hoping Bafana Bafana get to return to the Free State province after an atmosphere like no other during the 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe on Tuesday evening.
The 1996 AFCON winners made it two wins from four 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier matches with a convincing 3-1 victory over the Warriors in front of a packed Free State Stadium in the City of Roses.
The province has been without a professional team since Bloemfontein Celtics were sold and renamed to Royal AM, with Free State Stars also later sold and renamed to Casric Stars.
For coming to show the love ??, for the cheers, the support, for showing up! We dedicate this win to all of you whether you braved the cold at Free State stadium, or cheered from your couch at home! We felt the love Mzansi! ???? #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/Vjlhdln2Bw
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 11, 2024
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Speaking to media at the post-match press conference, Broos said the reception in Bloem was the best he had experienced since his arrival in South Africa.
"I am happy with this fantastic crowd," he offered.
"Everyone can see what a good crowd can do. The fans were behind the players. When you have a crowd like this, you go over the limit. In the second half, we got more and more confident and the fans were behind us.
"So, it was a fantastic evening. [Mothobi] Mvala is from the region, [Teboho] Mokoena is from the region and the people of the Free State are very grateful for that.
"This is something that makes me very happy. You also saw after the game they wanted to see us back [on the field].
"They were really, really good supporters and I think for the future, we have to think about coming to play more games here at this stadium."
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"Tonight was fantastic. Since I got here ... that's three years ... I've never had the atmosphere like today. You'll always produce good performances when you have a crowd like this behind you."
Bafana will be hoping for more of the same when they host Lesotho in March 2025 for their next home World Cup qualifier, at a venue yet to be determined.
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