Free entry to Bafana vs Madagascar match at Orlando Stadium
Fans will be allowed free entry at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday when Bafana Bafana host Madagascar in an international friendly match‚ the national team announced.
Bafana were scheduled to play the Chipolopolo of Zambia at Lusaka’s Heroes National Stadium but the game was called off on Tuesday due to xenophobic violence in South Africa.
After Zambia pulled out‚ the SA Football Association (Safa) moved swiftly to find a replacement and a day later confirmed Madagascar as Bafana's next opponents.
“Due to the late notice of game preparations‚ entrance to the match is free of charge‚” Bafana announced on their official Twitter account on Thursday.
The national team said “tickets collection points are being finalised.”
Given that Bafana have not played an international match in front of their home fans since the 1-1 draws against Nigeria (Africa Cup of Nations qualifier) and Paraguay in November last year‚ fans are expected to flock to the 40‚000 Orlando Stadium to back the side.
Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki‚ who replaced Briton Stuart Baxter as head coach last week‚ will take charge of the national team for the first time against the Indian Ocean islanders who reached the quarterfinals of the 2019 Afcon finals in Egypt.
It will also be the first time Bafana play a match after their 2-1 quarterfinal defeat to Nigeria at the Afcon finals on July 10.
Kickoff is at 7pm.