Preview: Lesotho vs South Africa – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

It will be a clash of neighbours when Lesotho clash with the leaders, South Africa, in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday.

The hosts are fifth in the standings with six points, two adrift of Rwanda, who occupy the runner-up spot in the group, while Bafana Bafana are five clear at the top of the table.

Match preview

Lesotho enter this contest off the back of a three-game winless run in their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having recorded two losses and one draw in that time.

However, with only two points and three places behind Rwanda, who are in the runner-up spot, the Crocodiles still have a chance of finishing second in the group, a position that guarantees them at least a place in the playoff.

That said, playing their home games within South African territory does not bode well for Leslie Notsie’s team, and they have a herculean task awaiting them this weekend.

More so, their recent performance in the COSAFA Cup is a stark reminder of how much work they have to do against the visitors, who are dictating the pace in the group.

Notsie’s charges a win and two defeats in that tournament, scoring one and conceding seven times in three matches.

South Africa, on the other hand, are comfortably perched at the top of Group C, having accumulated 13 points from six matches in their bid to make it to yet another World Cup.

Having said that, the Bafana Bafana have a cloud of uncertainty hovering over them, as they are still waiting to find out if they will be sanctioned by FIFA for playing an ineligible player against Friday’s hosts in the first leg.

But Hugo Broos will not be too bothered about that going into this crucial fixture; on the contrary, he will be hoping to lead his side to claim what looks like another three points on paper.

Besides playing within their shores, the South African giants are unbeaten in three fixtures against their opponents, with six goals scored and none conceded in those games.

Coming into this duel with three consecutive victories in the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, they are likely to add more points on the board on Friday.

Lesotho World Cup Qualifying – Africa form:

Lesotho form (all competitions):

South Africa World Cup Qualifying – Africa form:

South Africa form (all competitions):

Team News

The biggest news regarding the squad of the Crocodiles is the inclusion of former South African Under-23 defender Thabo Makhele, who switched his international allegiance to Lesotho a couple of years ago.

Sekhoane Moerane, who plies his trade with South African outfit Orbit College, is also named in Notsie’s squad, and he is expected to be in goal for this encounter, after recent impressive showings in the South African top division.

Also called up are Tlotliso Phatsisi from Black Leopards and Fusi Matlabe, who is on the books of Mphepi Defenders in the South African second tier.

For South Africa, Patrick Maswanganyi was originally named in the squad for the September matches, but he withdrew due to an injury, and he has been replaced by Sipho Mbule.

New Hannover 96 acquisition Ime Okon is also stricken with an injury, and Thabo Moloisane, a centre-back who plays for Stellenbosch in his native South Africa, has been called up as his replacement.

Lesotho possible starting lineup:

Moerane; Matlabe, Makhele, Mkwanazi, Malane; Toloane, Fothoane; Mokhachane, Bereng, Makhetha; Makateng

South Africa possible starting lineup:

Williams; Modiba, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Mobbie; Le Roux, Mkoena;  Nkota, Mofokeng, Appollis; Rayners

We say: Lesotho 0-2 South Africa

South Africa are the favourites to emerge victorious in this contest, given their form and quality within their ranks.

Technically, it is an away fixture for the group leaders, but they will file out in a familiar territory, with ample support for them. That said, we can only back the away side to win this match.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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