Bafana Bafana have confirmed that 2,000 spectators will be allowed to enter the FNB Stadium when they take on Ethiopia in their next 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying clash on Tuesday.
This will be the first time any team will play in front of spectators since an 18-month abstention due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, with a limited number of 2,000 spectators allowed to attend the match.
“A total of 2,000 fans will be allowed to watch the Bafana Bafana vs Ethiopia match on Tuesday, 12 October 2021,” an official statement on the Bafana Bafana social media pages read.
“The Cogta Ministry has approved that a limited number of spectators will be allowed back into the stadium. The website to apply for tickets will go live this afternoon.”
A total of 2000 fans will be allowed to watch the Bafana Bafana v Ethiopia match on Tuesday, 12 October 2021.
The Cogta Ministry has approved that a limited number of spectators will be allowed back into the stadium. The website to apply for tickets will go live this afternoon.— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 11, 2021
Safa president Dr Danny Jordaan thanked both the Minister of Sport, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, and his Health ministry counterpart, Dr Joe Phaahla, for their sterling efforts to make this venture a reality.
“Fans have been hungry to return to the stadium and the small business and informal sector will receive a massive boost as a result of this initiative,” Jordaan told Safa.
“This news will be received with delight by those who sell food, flags and taxi drivers who take fans to the stadiums. It is part of the economy that had suffered a lot as a result of fans not being allowed to attend matches. I am happy, this is the beginning of the restoration of the football economy.”
Meanwhile, Safa chief medical officer Dr Thulani Ngwenya will be hoping to increase the number of fans in the stadium for Bafana’s next qualifying fixture.
It’s a pilot project with the hope to have more numbers in the next match. A big thank you to Honourable @NathiMthethwaSA @HealthZA @GDCoGTA #BafanaBafana https://t.co/hjdU76AJdN
— Dr Thulani Ngwenya (@Dr_TKNgwenya) October 11, 2021