CAF Okays Fans For Nigeria vs Lesotho In Lagos

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) says fans can attend the 2021 AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and Lesotho at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on 30 March provided attendance doesn’t exceed 30% of the 24,000-seater stadium.

CAF gave the directive on Tuesday in a statement detailing the permissible level of fan attendance all games to be played in the qualifying window. Africa’s governing body, however, insisted that its strict Covid-19 guidelines must be adhered to alongside local government regulations.

The directive comes after new president Patrice Motsepe indicated that all CAF-administered matches including inter-club competitions be played without fans.

“CAF has, in the last few months and weeks, engaged all the member associates who are participating in the Total Africa Cup of Nations 2021 Cameroon qualifiers on matters relating to match protocols, health and safety regulations in their countries,” the statement noted.

“The consultation process has resulted in some of the matches being partially open for people to attend under the proviso that the member associates follow the strict guidelines from CAF and also government regulations in their respective countries.”

The development is likely to be music to football fans in Lagos long-starved of the Super Eagles who return to play a game in the city for the first time in a decade.

Nigeria lead Group L with eight points and play the Squirrels of Benin Republic at the Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto Novo on Saturday before concluding their qualifying campaign against the Crocodiles of Lesotho three days later.