Vaccinated fans to attend Bafana & Soweto Derby matches

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Oct 03, 2021. 16:00

South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced that vaccinated fans will be able to attend Bafana Bafana and Soweto Derby matches.

Fans have been banned from football stadiums in South Africa since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The country’s football governing body has now revealed that only fans, who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 will be allowed to attend the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier between Bafana and Ethiopia later this month.

Safa released the following statement on Saturday:

“Meanwhile, only fans that are vaccinated will get free entry into the forthcoming Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup match between South Africa and Ethiopia that is scheduled to take place at FNB Stadium on 12 October,” a statement read.

The Soweto Derby which features two of the biggest football clubs in South Africa, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will also welcome back fans.

“On the same breath, SAFA’s Special Member, the NSL has resolved to use the Soweto Derby to also encourage mass vaccination drive,” another statement read.

“The more the people are vaccinated the more the economic opportunities are opened for those selling their products.”

“Taxi drivers who take fans to the stadiums will also be encouraged to vaccinate and football will engage various taxi associations to work together.”

The Soweto derby is one of the most fiercely contested derbies in world football and matches between the two rivals attract a large fanbase.

Chiefs are scheduled to host Pirates in the DStv Premiership encounter at FNB Stadium on November 6.