Matches involving Nigeria’s Super Eagles are generating a lot of interest ahead of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations, reports from South Africa have said.
The reports said that “significant ticket sells have been reported for Group C games in a pool that comprises Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and defending champions Zambia.”
Group A featuring involving hosts South Africa, Angola, Cape Verde and Morocco has also elicited big interest, according to Local Organising Committee (LOC) chief executive Mvuzo Mbebe.
The LOC chief announced that premium tickets for Saturday’s opening day of action involving South Africa and debutants Cape Verde have sold out.
“We are happy with this development because it shows a marked change in South African spectator behaviour where usually the cheapest category tickets are sold out first,” Mbebe said.
“This seems to suggest that with the week on its final stretch before the start of the biggest sporting showpiece in the continent Category Three tickets will sell even faster than they have today as soon as we announce a comprehensive fan transport solution to and from the stadiums.”
Mbebe said Category One and Two tickets have gone, representing 42 per cent of Soccer City’s capacity. Group A games will be staged at Soccer City. All four teams in the group will taste action when the tournament kicks off on January 19 with Angola playing Morocco in the tournament’s second game.
However, the LOC said they have recorded low ticket sales for Group D and B matches in Port Elizabeth and Rustenburg, respectively.
Group D comprises DR Congo, Ghana, Mali and Niger, while Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria, Togo and Tunisia make up Group B.
•Photo: The Super Eagles.
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