Press Statement
(For Immediate Release)

Football Association of Zambia
Football House, Lusaka

27^th August 2021

CAF PUTS 5, 000 LIMIT ON FANS TO ATTEND ZAMBIA VS TUNISIA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to inform its members, stakeholders and the public that the Ministry of Health has given the greenlight to have fans at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Zambia and Tunisia.

FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala says following a request to the Ministry of Health to have fans in the stadium for the crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier, the ministry had granted permission for some fans to be admitted subject to strict adherence to Covid-19 Guidelines.’

FAZ has since notified the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that has put a 5, 000 cap for fans that will attend the match.

“We are pleased to announce that following our engagement with the ministries of health and sport, we have been allowed to admit some fans for the September 7, 2021, FIFA World Cup qualifier. This, however, is subject to strict observance of Covid-19 guidelines,” Kashala said.

“CAF has been informed and has advised that we can only be allowed to admit 5, 000 fans for the September 7, 2021, match.”

The 50, 000 capacity Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola will host the FIFA World Cup qualifier between Zambia and Tunisia on September 7, 2021, at 15:00 CAT. Zambia will be away to Mauritania on September 3 for their opening Group B match at the Olympic Stadium.

Gate charges for the September 7 tie will be advised in due course with tickets lined up for sale via Computicket.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr Kennedy Malama has notified FAZ and advised the Association to liaise with Copperbelt Provincial Health Director DR Robert Zulu in meeting all the Covid-19 guidelines.

FAZ has thanked the Ministry of Health for having made it possible to have fans back in the stadium for the world cup qualifier.

“We are grateful to government through the Ministry of Health for giving us the go ahead to admit fans back in the stadium for this particular fixture. Going forward we urge clubs to embrace the Covid-19 vaccine as it will help pave way for the return of fans to stadia. Most importantly we must continue observing the Covid-19 guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization,” Kashala said.

The key Covid-19 guidelines are washing hands or sanitizing as often as possible, always masking up, keeping social distance, and seeking medical attention whenever one shows symptoms for Covid-19.

For and on behalf of:

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA  

Sydney Mungala

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER