Despite widespread call to action by the South Africa Football association for fans to come out en masse to support the Bafana Bafana on Saturday against the Super Eagles in an Africa Cup of Nation’s qualifier at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg, few fans have purchased tickets for the game.
The FNB stadium which is one of the biggest in the world with a capacity of over 94, 000 seats has sold less than 7, 500 seats as of Tuesday November 13 just few days to the game. The team played in front of few fans when they filed out against Seychelles.
Respected South African journalist Mninawa Ntloko tweeted that “Officials worried after paltry 7 300 tickets sold for Bafana vs Nigeria showdown.”
South African fans on social media have given reasons why they feel it will be a waste of time to watch the game.
Mr Mgbamba @Last1left_real. “Why go there to watch a match we will probably lose or if lucky play a goaless draw”
Khoza Siphiwe @siphiweangie “I love my beautiful country and if tickets for Bafana were free I wouldn’t dare go to spoil my day”
@MORIE_PAPAANELE “It is simple: open the gates because bafana isn’t convincing of late”. @SKmtshali “Nigerians are the only one’s who are buying those tickets.” @Phaladishuping “They called it upon themselves. SAFA knows that there is not a lot of support when Bafana plays in Joburg. They will be lucky to have 30000 supporters in a 90000 stadium.”
In an effort to push ticket sales, the SA Football Association and Stadium Management have called in popular hip hop and pop star AKA.
AKA will provide pre-match entertainment for the match that will start at 3pm South Africa time 4pm Nigerian time.