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Bafana look at Polokwane

PETER Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane could host the eagerly awaited 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Egypt on March 26.

The match is officially scheduled for Soccer City but Safa is worried about the state of the pitch at the Johannesburg venue.

Coaches of Orlando Pirates (Ruud Krol) and Kaizer Chiefs (Vladimir Vermezovic) complained about the venue after Saturday's Soweto derby.

The new pitch was laid after the U2 concert three weeks ago with the old one - used during the 2010 Fifa World Cup - taken to new sports grounds adjacent to the stadium.

Another venue, which is under consideration by the authorities for the SA-Egypt clash, is Orlando Stadium. Safa officials meet today to finalise the venue.

Stadium Management South Africa boss Jacques Grobbelaar, who manages Soccer City, said the Nasrec facility was ready for the big match.

Safa communications director Morio Sanyane said, "We will be getting reports and will decide on the venue based on the information given to us."

Sanyane said Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane was busy with final preparations for the match despite a request for a postponement by Egypt.

Egypt wrote to the Confederation of African Football requesting a postponement of the match to June due to the political unrest in their country.

A source close to CAF said Egypt's request will be dismissed because the situation has stabilised in that country after an interim government was installed.

"The match is played in South Africa and not Egypt. Egypt hosted an African Champions League match between Zamalek and Kenya's Ulinzi Stars, there were no problems."

The unbeaten Bafana are topping the log with four points from two matches, while tail-enders Pharaohs have collected only on point from two games.

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