Football enthusiasts will be required to pay N3,000 and N1,000 gate fees to attend the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Rwanda’s Amavubi on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Tickets for the VIP section will be priced at N3,000, while general admission seats will be available for N1,000. Sales will commence on Friday morning at designated locations throughout Uyo city.

Alizor Chuks, the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) Director of Marketing and Sponsorship, emphasised on Wednesday the importance of ticket integrity. “The NFF Security Committee has declared a zero-tolerance policy towards ticket fraud this time around. We will take decisive action against those involved in ticket counterfeiting and racketeering.”

Chuks advised fans to purchase tickets only from authorised vendors, stressing that all tickets will be verified at the entrance gates. “Individuals found in possession of fake tickets will face arrest and prosecution,” he warned.

In preparation for Saturday’s clash, the Amavubi team arrived at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, at about 5:28pm on Tuesday, led by Fabrice Shema Agoga, the newly-elected President of the Rwandan Football Association (FERWAFA).

They were warmly welcomed by representatives from the local organising committee and are currently residing at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo. The team is scheduled to conduct a training session at the Nest of Champions practice pitch at 4 pm this Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian squad at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot-Ekpene has been bolstered by the arrivals of Africa Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, and Cyriel Dessers, a forward newly signed by Panathinaikos from Greece. Both players landed in Uyo on Wednesday morning, with five additional players—Victor Osimhen, Christantus Uche, Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze, and Raphael Onyedika—expected later in the evening.

In other news, the NFF has announced a partnership with the Vivacity Group to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth employment through the Future of Work Initiative (NigeriaWorks 2030). This initiative aims to enhance opportunities across various sectors, including agriculture, creative industries, and technology.

During her visit to the NFF Secretariat on Tuesday, Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola, Founder and CEO of Vivacity Group, commended the leadership of NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, for elevating the profile of Nigerian football globally.

She remarked, “Under your stewardship, the NFF has not only bolstered Nigeria’s international reputation but has also nurtured local talent and expanded opportunities for the youth. Football’s unifying power continues to inspire national pride and foster social cohesion.”

In response, Gusau praised the initiative and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering opportunities for the youth and engaging professionals in productive enterprises that enhance social harmony while creating value. NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (MON) also provided insights on effective measures that can accelerate the initiative’s objectives. (LEADERSHIP)

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