Empty FNB Stadium for Bafana Bafana vs Botswana Match Causes Concern Among Local Football Fans

Empty FNB Stadium for Bafana Bafana vs Botswana Match Causes Concern Among Local Football Fans

Keba Mothoagae
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:12 PM
  • South Africa's international friendly match against Botswana at FNB Stadium was not met with much enthusiasm, to put it lightly
  • Less than 1 000 people turned up to watch Bafana Bafana struggle past Botswana with a 1-0 victory on Tuesday night
  • An even worse crowd was present at the same venue last week Saturday to witness the home side thump Sierra Leone

The South African Football Association will have to rethink where it schedules future Bafana Bafana matches.

Less than 1 000 people were present to watch South Africa defeat Botswana 1-0 at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday night. Even fewer fans pitched up for their encounter against Sierra Leone last Saturday, when Bafana won 4-0.

bafana bafana, south africa, botswana, safa, fnb stadium, soccer city
South African and Botswana entertained less than 1 000 people at Soccer City. Image source: SABC Sport Facebook page.
Source: Facebook

Sports Brief reported on Monday how an image on social media showed the embarrassing disparity between attendances for the latter game and that of the Rugby Championship clash between the Springboks and Argentina that afternoon.

Observers did not mince words about the lack of interest in Bafana matches.

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@AyandaMaqhoboza said:

"And we're surprised when the FNB stadium is empty."

@JoshuaGaillard said:

"A Bafana Bafana game so empty. Always come to Durban, don’t waste time on FNB Stadium."

@Chris80109155 said:

"The empty FNB stadium reflects the sorry state of our national team. SAFA destroyed the pride of the nation. Thanks to Danny Jordan... SAFA members had an opportunity to replace him, start afresh and build the national team. They voted with their stomach. This is disappointing"

International friendly match report: Bafana Bafana squeaks past Botswana at empty Soccer City

South Africa appears to be on the up again on the international football pitch.

Bafana Bafana defeated Botswana 1-0 in front of what was once again an empty Soccer City in Johannesburg. The home side's solitary goal came from a stupendous free-kick by Teboho Mokoena in the 38th minute.

The victory was far from easy for Hugo Broos' men, as the Zebras proved to be a competitive opponent. The result completed what was a very successful FIFA international break for Bafana. The team also hammered Sierra Leone 4-0 last Saturday, which had snapped a four-match winless streak.

Authors
Keba Mothoagae photo
Keba Mothoagae
Editor- Local Desk
Tags
Hugo BroosSouth AfricaSouth Africa Football Association (SAFA)World