South Africa vs Lesotho Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (CAF)

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South Africa have been inconsistent in recent years but have a chance to return to the FIFA World Cup next year as they take on geographical and political rivals Lesotho this week.

Kick-off date/time: Friday 21st March, 2025: UK – 4:00pm / US ET – 12:00pm / US PT – 9:00am

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – FIFA+ / US – FIFA+

Key Stats

• South Africa won the previous two World Cup qualifying matches between these teams. 2-0 in Lesotho and 1-0 in South Africa, both in April 2000.
• The overall record between South Africa and Lesotho is: South Africa wins – 6, Lesotho wins – 2, draws – 4.
• South Africa have lost only two of their last ten World Cup qualifying matches (W6 D2).
• South Africa have won their last five World Cup qualifying matches in South Africa.
• Excluding penalty shoot-outs, South Africa are unbeaten in their last 21 international matches (W9 D12). Since a 2-0 defeat against Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage in January 2024.
• Lesotho have lost only one of their last nine World Cup qualifying matches (W2 D6). The defeat was in their most recent such fixture (L 0-1 vs Rwanda, 11 June 2024).

South Africa vs Lesotho Prediction

South Africa performed well in qualification for the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations during the autumn and Bafana Bafana now want a first FIFA World Cup appearance since hosting in 2010 as they take on local rivals Lesotho in Polokwane this week.

Coached by Belgian coach Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana are currently ranked 57th in the world by FIFA after an impressive showing at the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations last year, reaching the semi-finals. In 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, they have collected seven points from their four matches thus far.

Lesotho, on the other hand, have one victory with two draws and a defeat in their four matches in Group D of CAF qualification for the FIFA World Cup. They have been naturally low-scoring with those four games consisting of just five goals. Their most recent FIFA-recognised outing saw them dispatched of Morocco by seven goals to nil in the November international break.

South Africa will be firm favourites for this one, especially with their home advantage, but Lesotho will be confident they can make it a frustrating and awkward encounter.

South Africa vs Lesotho Tip: South Africa to win & under 3.5 goals