THE Nigeria Football Federation and the sports ministry have made arrangements to ensure that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja is filled to its 60,000 capacity for Tuesday’s Qatar 2022 World Cup playoffs deciding match between the Super Eagles and Black Stars.
Ghanaian fans packed the 40,000-capacity Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi to overflowing for the first leg on Friday, which ended 0-0.
With tickets going for between N2,000 and N10,000 and Abuja people’s apathy to live football, the NFF and sports ministry have collaborated to get fans into the stadium to cheer on the Super Eagles to the victory they need to secure the World Cup spot.
“As of this evening the Ministry and NFF have jointly bought 20,000 tickets to be given free to spectators,” a sports ministry official revealed on Sunday night.
“As you are aware buses will be placed at designated areas to convey fans to and from the MKO Abiola National Stadium. And as you board the bus a match ticket will be given to you.”
The official explained the process to get the fans to the stadium in the outskirts of Abuja.
“The buses will have stickers that will allow them drop their passengers at the gate having their ticket numbers so that as soon as they get into the stadium the over 200 stewards that will be on duty will show you your seat.
“Spectators will also be required to go through Covid-19 protocol: washing hands, applying sanitizers and wearing face masks courtesy of NCDC.”
The rights to sell match tickets for the match were sold to Daar Communications, who have been selling online and at various physical locations in the Nigerian capital city.
The Moshood Abiola National Stadium used to regularly host national team games before it was allowed to degenerate into a state of disrepair for several years. It has now been refurbished and is in good shape to host the crucial World Cup qualifier.
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