AFCON (Q): Ethiopia to enjoy home support as CAF approves crowd attendance

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has permitted spectators to attend the second leg of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preliminary round qualifying tie between hosts Ethiopia and São Tomé and Príncipe in Dire Dawa.

The stadium in the eastern half of the country was only granted a temporary green light from CAF for the preliminary round home match, with fans initially barred from attendance. However, the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF), in an official statement on Monday, confirmed that 10,000 spectators will be allowed to watch the second leg.

 

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The Dire Dawa City Administration has reportedly carried out work around the stadium as per the recommendations given by CAF. The CAF security officer for the tie has assessed the stadium after the African football governing body allowed fans to attend the match.

Earlier this month, CAF barred the stadium and the EFF from selling matchday tickets. The second leg hosts hold a 3–0 lead from the first leg last week, and the new development will surely boost the squad’s morale heading into the second leg.

Large home support is anticipated for the clash in Dire Dawa. The stadium hosted 1976 Africa Cup of Nations games and was renovated twice, in 2018 and 2024. It can accommodate 25,000 spectators and has an artificial turf pitch.