Soweto derby fan vows to walk to Nigeria
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
Miracle Ebubechi Michael, a Nigerian Orlando Pirates supporter, promises to walk to Nigeria if her team lose the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs. She travelled to Johannesburg through a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than 40,000 rand and made the declaration before the match at FNB Stadium, IOL reports.
Miracle Ebubechi Michael, a Nigerian Orlando Pirates supporter, has promised to walk back to Nigeria if Kaizer Chiefs beat her team in Saturday’s Soweto derby at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. “I will walk to Nigeria,” she said in a video that went viral, according to IOL.
Nicknamed Mimi or Anoda Mirakle, she was able to travel from Nigeria to South Africa through a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than 40,000 rand. Both teams go into the match after 3-0 victories on Tuesday, Chiefs against TS Galaxy and Pirates against Milford.
Tickets for the derby sold out in six hours. Stadium Management South Africa expects more than 90,000 spectators and has announced a fully digital system, while authorities have asked people without tickets not to go to the stadium to limit the risks linked to forgeries. Police and several security teams are expected to manage the crowds, according to IOL and Bertie Grobbelaar, chief executive of Stadium Management South Africa.
The match follows instructions issued to supporters on 29 October to arrive at the stadium early, including police recommendations ahead of the derby. It also follows the announcement on 30 October that 50 supporters from Eswatini would attend the match at the stadium.
