Football fans in Uyo will be allowed free seats in the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Friday to support the Super Eagles.

The Akwa Ibom state government announced that it had acquired all regular tickets, and has asked that interested fans go pick them up to support the Super Eagles when they play Bafana Bafana.

Tickets for the regular stands was pegged at ₦1000 by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), while VIP tickets would cost ₦3,000.

Both Nigeria and South Africa dropped one spot each – fourth and third respectively – following Benin Republic’s victory against Group C leaders, Rwanda on Thursday.

Impact of Home Fans

The presence of home fans can provide a crucial advantage for the Super Eagles. The home crowd’s support, chants, and the atmosphere can significantly influence the match, potentially leading to a turning point for the team.

Playing at home often offers psychological benefits, including the crowd’s influence on the players and referees, which can affect the game’s outcome.

This support is essential as the Super Eagles cannot afford to miss out on the 2026 World Cup, especially after losing their ticket to long-time rivals Ghana in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Historically, there isn’t much rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria, as the latter has been superior with only two losses in 16 matches.