By Uzor Odigbo
The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has given waiver to enable spectators and journalists watch the weekend’s Nigeria vs S’Leone match in Benin, the Edo State capital.
The African football governing body had earlier ruled that all matches in days three and four of the qualifying series of the Africa Cup of Nations 2022 be played behind closed doors.
CAF on Tuesday evening provided answers to frequently asked questions. Of particular note was the mind-boggling poser, “Are spectators allowed to attend the matches?”
CAF answered that according to its COVID-19 protocol, “all matches are to be played without spectators.”
It however offered a waiver: “If the host association’s government”, in this case, the Federal Government of Nigeria, “approves that matches can be played with fans, the host federation”, in this case, the NFF, “must obtain an approval from CAF.”
CAF on spectators at the stadium
What it means that Nigeria can apply to CAF to allow reasonable number of people, including journalists, to watch the match.
