South African Football Association Welcomes Full Capacity Return of Supporters to Stadiums Ahead of New Season

• Great news for South African sports lovers as they will finally be allowed to fill stadiums to 100 capacity
• Health Minister Joe Phaahla removed the restrictions on gatherings, therefore allowing fans back into stadiums
• The South African Football Association has rejoiced at the news and sees it as a great way to grow the sporting economy

South Africans can finally return to stadiums at full capacity.

After a long two years for the sporting sector, football fans will finally be allowed back into stadiums ahead of the new season.

The news came after Health Minister Joe Phaahla ended the mandatory use of masks indoors as well as removed restrictions on gatherings, Eye Witness News reported.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has also welcomed the news that the government would be removing the limitations on public gatherings, thereby allowing capacity crowds once again, the Daily Sun reported.

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SAFA’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Thulani Ngwenya, said that South African football now has a chance to rebuild the stadium economy after he was decimated by Covid-19.

“The sector has been severely affected by the pandemic and it is now time to begin the fight for recovery from an economic point of view,” he said.

Dr Ngwenya warned that the association still needed to be cautious and review the protocols on stadium safety, adding that this was the time to do so before the season new begins.

He also reminded fans that just because they were allowed back at full capacity, it does not mean that vaccination should stop in the country.

He advised that vaccination drives should still continue so that the risk of severe illness is minimized.

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Head of marketing at Kaizer Chiefs Jessica Motaung said that not having supporters at their matches was partially to blame for the Amakhosi blowing the 2019/20 Absa Premiership title.

As that season reached the home stretch, Chiefs was 13 points ahead of eventual champions Mamelodi Sundowns with eight matches remaining.

The Covid-19 restrictions at the end of March 2020 saw the league being suspended until late May, before resuming without spectators allowed into venues.

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Earlier Sports Brief reported that starting soon, sports venues across South Africa will increase spectator capacity to 50%.

This comes as the South African government continues to ease lockdown restrictions in combating the Covid-19 pandemic. President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement during a live address broadcast to the nation.

Almost exactly two years after Covid-19 dealt a blow to global professional sports and shut down live viewing of sports events in SA, major codes will breathe a sigh of relief.