South African football fans will embark on a protest ahead of the upcoming Soweto Derby in their quest to ask SAFA and the PSL to open stadiums again.
The march, which is organised under the auspices of the National Football Supporters’ Association will take place on 5 March.
Fans have not been allowed to watch league games in the stands since March 2021, when South Africa was hit by the first wave of COVIC-19.
SAFA had tested allowing vaccinated fans back at the stadium for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, while the PSL allowed viewers into Moses Mabhida Stadium for the MTN8 final – even most of the tickets available were given to partners and sponsors – but there has been no update since.
However, fans of the beautiful game are getting tired with the excuses of football officials and from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, who continue their stance of no fans being allowed in the stands despite South Africa “exiting the fourth wave” of the coronavirus pandemic and moving into adjust level 1 of lockdown, as announced by Cyril Ramaphosa in January.
The Varsity Cup has also allowed up to 2 000 fans in the stands for it’s rugby games, while political rallies before the elections were held in front of thousands of supporters.
On Wednesday, NAFSA released a statement, urging fans and football loyalists to join their peaceful march to Orlando Stadium ahead of the Soweto Derby on 5 March to “voice a nationwide cry”.
