by admin_em8z1e00 | Sep 8, 2025 | Soccer News
(Photo by Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images)
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has hit back at critics questioning the decision to host South Africa’s crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria at Free State Stadium, dismissing claims that the venue was chosen to unsettle the Super Eagles.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s high-stakes Group C clash, Broos addressed growing concerns over the condition of the Bloemfontein pitch, which has come under scrutiny following last week’s fixture against Lesotho.
Read: Appollis: South Africa Should Be Grateful For Broos
“I said already before, I’m not happy with the pitch either. There were people who blamed me that I didn’t want to play here. This is stupid,” Broos said bluntly.
The Belgian tactician made it clear that the decision to play in Bloemfontein was not his own, and that the pitch quality was far from ideal, but not bad enough to derail the match.
“All the qualifiers we played, we played on very good pitches. Okay, this one is not so good. There is no reason why we play here against Nigeria because the pitch is not good. This is nonsense.”
Broos also clarified that the Lesotho match, played at the same venue last Friday, was not scheduled by Bafana but by the opposition, who were technically the home team.
“We played Friday also on this pitch, and that was not our choice. That was Lesotho, who was a home team.”
Read: Bafana vs Nigeria: Group C Battle Heats Up In WC Qualifiers
Despite the criticism, Broos remained pragmatic, acknowledging that while the surface isn’t up to the standard of previous qualifiers, it’s a shared challenge for both teams.
“It’s not what it has to be, but okay, it’s for both teams. It’s also for us, so yeah. We have to play the game tomorrow, and that’s all.”
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Source: https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/local/bafana/hugo-broos-defends-bafana-s-venue-choice-amid-free-state-stadium-pitch-concerns-ahead-nigeria-clash
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by admin_em8z1e00 | Sep 8, 2025 | Soccer News
BELGRADE (Reuters) -England’s players have held internal discussions about how they will respond if subjected to racist abuse during Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier away to Serbia, captain Harry Kane has said, amid concerns over fan behaviour in Belgrade.
The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) has appealed to supporters in a statement to “create a positive atmosphere” and “to send out an image to the world that will make us all proud.”
“We had a meeting and we discussed the protocols that are in place, more from UEFA’s point of view, (but) I don’t think we like to discuss it too much,” Kane told reporters on Monday.
“Our focus is on the game. Our focus is on trying to beat Serbia on the pitch.
“Anything can happen, of course, and we’re prepared for that but we’re thinking about the game and, like the (statement) Serbian FA put out, it’s about enjoying the spectacle, enjoying the game, and we hope that’s the case tomorrow.”
The FSS appeal came after UEFA ordered 15% of the 50,000 seats at Rajko Mitic Stadium be closed on Tuesday as punishment for racist behaviour by Serbia fans against Andorra in June.
England players were the target of racist abuse in a Euro 2020 qualifying game in Bulgaria that was stopped twice as officials threatened to abandon the match. England won 6-0
“I thought we handled that situation away in Bulgaria really well, and (Tuesday) will be no different,” said Kane.
“These are things that are hard to talk about now because we don’t know if it’s going to happen or not.
“But ultimately, in the event it does happen, we’ll be prepared to do what is necessary.”
TOUGHEST TEST
Victory on Tuesday would put Thomas Tuchel’s England team, who lead Group K with four wins from four games, a step closer to qualifying for next year’s finals.
However, it is their toughest test so far.
Beyond the hostile environment expected in Belgrade, Serbia are England’s highest-ranked opponents in the group at 32.
While Tuchel’s fourth-ranked side have yet to concede a goal, their victories have been underwhelming. They needed an own goal to open the scoring during their 2-0 win over Andorra on Saturday, a nation ranked 170 places below them.
“Let’s see how the game plays out,” Tuchel said.
“We prepare for everything, we’re in a very emotional sporting country – they have world class sportsmen, amazing talents in football – and will have quality.
“Our first away game together in a traditional stadium. I think the occasion will bring out the best in us.”
Tuchel added that everyone, including defender Marc Guehi who was doubtful after suffering a sore groin against Andorra, is available to start on Tuesday.
Asked about the potential for racism, Tuchel said UEFA had discussed protocols with the squad.
“I always believe in the good and believe we will have a high-level sporting occasion,” the German said.
“I don’t want to put a focus on it because I believe in the beauty of the sport and the beauty of the game.”
England’s only previous meeting with Serbia was a 1-0 group stage win at Euro 2024.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Source: https://www.globalbankingandfinance.com/SOCCER-WORLDCUP-SRB-ENG-PREVIEW-92587011-b22e-40fe-96d5-78f2fa0eff59
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by admin_em8z1e00 | Sep 8, 2025 | Soccer News
Nigeria Gearing Up For Crucial SA Game
Nigeria’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, has admitted South Africa will be a tough challenge, but the plan for his team is clear ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Check Out: Nigeria Legend: South Africa Is In Trouble
The Super Eagles take on Bafana Bafana on Tuesday evening in a game that holds big significance for both sides.
Hugo Broos’ side currently holds a six-point lead over third-placed Nigeria at the top of Group C, and a win for South Africa would take them one step closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite uncertainty about whether South Africa would be docked any points for fielding Teboho Mokoena when he was supposed to serve a suspension, the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners are still in a strong position.
Eguavoen has admitted that the team has a lot of respect for South Africa, but that has not deterred them from their goal – to take all three points, Pan-Africa Football reported.
“We have no choice but to win,” he declared.
“We respect South Africa, but we are gunning for three points, simple as that,” Eguavoen said.
Nigeria played themselves back into contention with a tough 1-0 victory over Rwanda, and he reiterated the importance of beating South Africa.
“We have played a couple of times. It can go either way, but this is a different game,” he said.
Check Out: Nigeria Boss: We Still Have A Chance
“It’s a World Cup qualifier, so the weight behind it is massive. We all know what we want. South Africa has gone for it, a respected and good team,” the Director concluded.
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Source: https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/local/bafana/nigeria-director-on-sa-clash
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by admin_em8z1e00 | Sep 8, 2025 | Soccer News
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Major League Soccer has suspended Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez for three league matches, meaning he will miss his team’s rematch of the heated Leagues Cup final against the Seattle Sounders next week.
The suspension was in response to Suárez’s on-field antics, which included spitting at someone, after Inter Miami lost the Leagues Cup final to the Sounders on Aug. 31. Leagues Cup also suspended Suárez for six future matches in its tournament.
MLS took action even though the melee that marred the finish of the Inter Miami-Seattle match wasn’t in one of its matches. The Leagues Cup is a separate competition.
Sounders coaching staff member Steven Lenhart had his credentials pulled by MLS for the remainder of the season for his role in the altercation, and the league said there’s no guarantee he will be credentialed next season. Lenhart, MLS said, “will only be permitted in public seating areas during Seattle Sounders FC home matches and cannot be on or near the field of play, nor in or around the locker rooms, or tunnel.”
The Sounders were also fined an undisclosed amount for misappropriation of credentials, MLS said.
The incident is the latest in a long line for Suárez, who has served suspensions on three occasions for biting opponents. The longtime teammate of Inter Miami star Lionel Messi appeared to spit toward a member of the Sounders’ staff and grabbed at least one Seattle player by the neck during a postgame melee.
Suárez apologized last week for his behavior, saying he “was wrong and I sincerely regret it.”
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Source: https://apnews.com/article/luis-suarez-inter-miami-suspended-e2dd4abc8b4dbc54d0af75d5323d3e11
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