Namibia Cites Lack of Funds to Allow Fans for AFCON Qualifier at Orlando Stadium
The Zimbabwe Warriors will face Namibia in an empty Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, for one of their 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group J qualifiers on Thursday. Namibian authorities announced on Monday that they lack the necessary funds to cover the costs of hosting fans at the rented facility.
The announcement came ahead of two back-to-back matches between the neighboring countries, scheduled for this Thursday and next Monday.
Namibia, like Zimbabwe, is prohibited from hosting international football matches at home after CAF declared the country’s primary venue, Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, unfit for such events. As a result, both nations opted to play their qualifiers at Orlando Stadium in South Africa.
Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) spokesperson Mike Madoda confirmed on X that the match organized by Namibia will be held without fans.
“Please note that the Warriors’ Thursday game vs Namibia will be played behind closed doors at Namibia’s behest. A request has been made for all fans not to make their way to Orlando Stadium,” he said.
Madoda stated that the return match, which will take place in Zimbabwe, will be open to all paying spectators.
The decision to exclude fans from the stadium in Namibia has been interpreted in Zimbabwean football circles as an effort to prevent a significant number of Zimbabwean supporters from attending, especially since Zimbabwe has a large expatriate community in South Africa, often resulting in their fans outnumbering visiting teams.
In preparation for the match hosted by Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has set ticket prices at R50 for general admission.
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