FNB Stadium will open its doors to welcome fans back for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as Bafana Bafana aim to seal their spot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.
Fans return to live sporting events since start of pandemic
It’s been 19 months since the roar of fans cheering on their favourite soccer team was heard coming out of the sporting arena lodged in the centre of Johannesburg’s bustling CBD.
On Tuesday, 2 000 spectators will be allowed an opportunity to catch the FIFA Qualifiers returning fixture between Hugo Broos‘ 11-man squad and Ethiopia.
However, here’s the catch: the event is only open to fully vaccinated citizens. This is the first time a vaccine certificate will be required to gain entry into an establishment, since the policy was launched on Friday 8 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.” a statement by the national football team read.
How to buy Bafana Bafana tickets
The ministries of health and sports will oversee the pilot project headed by the South African Football Association (SAFA). The objective, SAFA president Danny Jordan said, is to iron out the creases in the pilot before venue numbers are ramped up to accommodate more sport fans.
“These 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,’’ he said.
Ticket sales for the Bafana Bafana fixture are expected to go live on Monday afternoon but obtaining a seat inside FNB Stadium is no easy feat. Here’s a guide on how to get a ticket to the match:
- Visit the ticket sales portal
- Fill in the application form and ensure that you have entered the correct vaccination code (the unique code that was sent to you by the Department of Health after your final dose of a SAHPRA-approved COVID-19 vaccine)
- A one-time password will be sent to successful applicants with more prompts
- Use this password to access the sales portal where you will be allowed to purchase one ticket.
It is important to note that entering a non-existent vaccination code will not work on the system as each application will be checked by health department officials against existing EVDS data.
