CAPE TOWN – Just like Moses Mabhida Stadium seem to get most of the local cup finals, so the FNB Stadium is awarded Bafana Bafana matches.
Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) announced on Wednesday that the 2010 World Cup final venue will host both Bafana qualifiers for the 2019 African Cup of Nations in October and November.
Stuart Baxter’s team will face the Seychelles on October 13 and Nigeria on November 17, with both matches starting at 3pm.
SA Football Association (Safa) general manager in football business, Russell Paul, said in a statement: “We are very excited to have Bafana Bafana play these two Afcon 2019 qualifiers at FNB Stadium.
“The matches are significant and important in the team’s qualification campaign.
“We’d like to encourage the public to attend the matches. Working with SMSA, we have created packages that make getting to both matches possible”.
Tickets for the matches went on sale today at Computicket, and Money Market counters at all Shoprite, Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores.
A special discount is available if fans buy admissions for both games. For the Seychelles encounter, entry is R40, but you will only pay R10 if you purchase a ticket for the Nigerian game at R60 as well.
SMSA chief executive Jacques Grobbelaar said: “It is always a pleasure to welcome Bafana Bafana to the spiritual home of African football.
“We are here to support the team in their Afcon 2019 qualifiers, and also working together with Safa and our other stakeholders to provide an excellent experience for the spectators.
“Ticket packages have been created specifically with the spectator in mind, allowing them to experience both matches at reduced costs if they buy the tickets together.
“We know that economic factors influence attendance, and have done all that we could to keep the ticket prices accessible for all.
“Come enjoy FNB Stadium and support our national team as they make their bid for Afcon 2019”.
Bafana Bafana started off the qualifiers in fine fashion by beating Nigeria away in June 2017, but they then laboured to a 0-0 draw against Libya on September 8 at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
They now trail the Libyans on goal difference in Group E.
@ashfakmohamed