Sports fans will return to stadiums in South Africa for the first time in 18 months when Bafana Bafana host Ethiopia tonight at 6pm.
Up to 2 000 vaccinated fans will be allowed through the gates at the FNB Stadium when Bafana and the Walias meet in their Group G World Cup Qualifying clash.
A tweet from Bafana’s Twitter account confirmed: “A total of 2 000 fans will be allowed to watch the Bafana Bafana v Ethiopia match on Tuesday, 12 October 2021.
“The Cogta [Cooperative Governance] Ministry has approved that a limited number of spectators will be allowed back into the stadium.”
A total of 2000 fans will be allowed to watch the Bafana Bafana v Ethiopia match on Tuesday, 12 October 2021.
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 11, 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.
With coach Hugo Broos’ side top of qualifying Group G and unbeaten in 10 matches, having beaten Ethiopia 3-1 in their away leg on Saturday, the fans will hopefully have loads to shout about.
Captain Ronwen Williams says he and his teammates have been excited about the return of the fans all week.
Last week, before heading to Ethiopia, he said: “We’re excited. After 18 months it will be the first time playing in front of our people again.
“That’s something that we’re looking forward to, something that we’ve missed.
“Hopefully we’ll be celebrating together.”
After tonight’s match Bafana will host Zimbabwe on November 11, and then travel to Ghana, who trail them by one point, for what could possibly be a group decider on November 14.
Only the group winners will qualify for the third round of qualification.