Aug. 27, 2021

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to have only 5,000 spectators at next week’s FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Liberia.

Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said in a statement on Friday that NFF had applied to have 12,000 spectators at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, venue of the match.

“As it is known, we would like to reiterate that the CAF and FIFA COVID-19 match protocols clearly states that all matches must be played behind closed doors.

“Nonetheless, CAF analysed and assessed NFF request from a medical, stadium requirements compliance, and safety and security perspective in the venue.

“Accordingly, a decision has been taken to exceptionally allow the presence of 5,000 spectators in the aforementioned match,” CAF wrote in the letter signed by Raul Chipenda, Development Director.