By Akinwale Kasali
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has announced that no journalists or supporters would be allowed into the stadium for Nigeria’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Edo State.
The reasons for this order are due to the Covid-19 Pandemic that halted the funfair of the game this past few months.
In a statement, the Director, Communications, of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF,, Ademola Olajire, said that CAF instructed, under Media Operations, that there would be no mixed zone in the guidelines communicated to the NFF.
Olajire added that there would be a virtual news conference, if possible for media officers from both teams only, and that only the TV channels with the rights will be allowed flash interviews.
”Also, only photographers of participating teams would be allowed at the match venue.
”The above puts to rest all previous speculations regarding having spectators at the match venue, and whether members of the media would be allowed into the arena,” he said.
The statement further quoted NFF’s Director of Competitions, Bola Oyeyode, as saying that only individuals accredited by the NFF would be allowed inside the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for the Day 3 qualifier, which will kick off at 5pm Nigeria time on Friday, Nov. 13.
The Super Eagles has, however, commenced training in preparation for the match, with the invited players arriving before the Tuesday deadline given to the players by Coach Gernot Rohr.
