The Zimbabwe Warriors’ AFCON qualifier against Namibia will be held in an empty stadium in Johannesburg, as Namibia cannot afford to host fans. This situation arises from both countries being barred from local venues due to safety concerns. ZIFA spokesperson Mike Madoda confirmed the match will be closed to spectators, although the return fixture in Zimbabwe will welcome fans with ticket prices set at R50.
The upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Zimbabwe and Namibia will take place at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday, but under exceptional circumstances. Due to financial constraints, Namibian authorities have requested that the match be played without spectators. This decision was confirmed by Mike Madoda, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), who emphasized that fans should not attempt to attend the match. The empty stadium approach comes amidst a ban on both nations from hosting international matches in their respective countries due to the unfit conditions of their stadiums. The Zimbabwe Warriors are preparing for two AFCON qualification matches against Namibia, with the first scheduled for Thursday and a return match taking place next Monday. While the first match will be closed to fans, the subsequent Zimbabwe-hosted fixture will allow the attendance of supporters with tickets priced at R50. There is speculation that the empty stadium decision is aimed at preventing a surge of Zimbabwean supporters, who are expected to outnumber Namibian fans at the venue. This is particularly relevant given the substantial Zimbabwean migrant community in South Africa, which often leads to a significant home advantage for the visiting Zimbabwe team in terms of crowd support.
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a premier football championship in Africa, and the qualification matches are critical for national teams aiming to secure their place in the tournament. In this case, both Namibia and Zimbabwe face significant challenges as they are prohibited from hosting international matches in their home stadiums due to CAF regulations. Each country has opted to utilize Orlando Stadium in South Africa as a neutral ground for their encounters, thus complicating logistics and fan attendance. The decision to conduct the match behind closed doors reflects underlying financial issues experienced by Namibian football authorities, further affecting the atmosphere typically enjoyed at such events. Notably, the return match in Zimbabwe is set to open its gates to fans, with affordable ticket pricing aimed at attracting domestic support for the home team.
In summary, the Zimbabwe versus Namibia AFCON qualifier on Thursday will occur in an empty stadium due to financial constraints imposed by Namibia. This deviation from the norm aims to control the attendance dynamics, particularly addressing concerns regarding a potentially overwhelming support for the Zimbabwe Warriors, thanks to the large Zimbabwean community in South Africa. The subsequent match in Zimbabwe is poised to allow fans, emphasizing a contrasting approach that underscores the shared challenges faced by both nations in international sporting events.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
