The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in collaboration with the logistics committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Sports, has concluded plans to provide free bus rides to football fans who are willing to cheer the Super Eagles to victory against the Black Stars of Ghana on Tuesday.
This is following the approval by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that Nigeria can go ahead and fill up the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, venue for the second leg of the 2022 World Cup playoff with the Black Stars of Ghana.
Nigeria is playing host to perennial rivals Ghana in a tie the Super Eagles must win by any margin on Tuesday, following a 0-0 draw in Kumasi on Friday.
According to the NFF, the buses will be available at places such as Keffi, Auta Balefi, Masaka, Mararaba, Nyanya, Orozo, Kurudu, Jikowyi, Suleja Madalla, Zuba and DeiDei.
There will also be buses from Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Lugbe, Mpape, Life Camp, Eagle Square, Old Parade Ground, Area 3, Kabusa, Apo Mechanic and Gwarinpa, all heading to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
The NFF has assured that safety and security will be in place for Tuesday’s match and warned spectators to be law-abiding and observe simple directives and instructions on the day.
Meanwhile, Daily Trust gathered from a reliable source that the football federation is considering throwing open the gates into the stadium.
According to the source, the NFF is taking into consideration the prevailing economic hardship and may decide that those who are willing to sacrifice their time to cheer for the Super Eagles should be admitted for free.
“By tomorrow (today), it will be clear if the gates will be thrown open on Tuesday or not. We want to have as many fans as possible into the stadium but things are not easy with the ordinary Nigerian so it will be good to allow them free access into the stadium.
“I am sure the NFF is still weighing its action because one of its sponsors has been given the ticketing rights so there are some things to be sorted out.
“Once everything is sorted out, by Monday, the fans will know their fate, whether they are to pay for the tickets or go in free,” said the source.