According to the latest reports, FNB Stadium, Moses Mabhida Stadium and Cape Town Stadium might not be available to host the Soweto Derby.
FNB Stadium will be hosting the Monster Jam event on the 29th and 30th of April.
Moses Mabhida 2ill also be hosting the Monster Jam event on the 6th of May and 7th of May.
Those who do not what what the Monster Jam event is its whereby those big cars race in mudy ground as shown in the picture below.
There’s no hope that the pitch at FNB will recover in time for this.
Moses Mabhida is already ruled out to hosting this event.
Cape Town Stadium is also ruled out as they will be hosting the URC Championship.
As for FNB plans might be made to make it available we will see what happens in the coming weeks.
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KAIZER CHIEFS;
Home ground: FNB Stadium, Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Capacity: 94 000 & 56 000
ORLANDO PIRATES;
Home ground: Orlando Stadium & FNB Stadium
Capacity: 40 000 & 94 000.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS;
Home ground: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Capacity: 28 900.
POLOKWANE CITY;
Home ground: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Capacity: 45 000.
CHIPPA UNITED;
Home ground: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Sisa Dukashe Stadium
Capacity: 46 000 & 16 000.
AMAZULU;
Home ground: King Zwelithini Stadium
Capacity: 10 000.
MARITZBURG UNITED;
Home ground: Harry Gwala Stadium
Capacity: 12 000.
BLACK LEOPARDS;
Home ground: Thohoyandou Stadium
Capacity: 28 000.
CAPE TOWN CITY;
Home ground: Cape Town Stadium
Capacity: 55 000.
BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC;
Home ground: Dr Molemela Stadium
Capacity: 20 000.
Arthur Zwane has discussed the possibility of the Soweto Derby in the Nedbank Cup semi-final not being hosted at FNB Stadium and taking place outside of Gauteng.
The Premier Soccer League are yet to announce the venues and exact kick-off times for the two semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup, with the games scheduled for the weekend of the 6 and 7 May
There seems to be a possibility that the Soweto Derby between Chiefs and rivals Orlando Pirates could take place away from FNB Stadium, because the ‘Monster Jam’ event takes place a week earlier at the venue and it is questionable whether a week’s time is enough to recover from the event.
Chiefs coach Zwane has discussed the issue of the derby perhaps being taken to another province but insisted FNB is the best solution for the large crowd the game will attract.
“Look, we can play anywhere,” he said.
“But unfortunately the capacity when you look at FNB will always be there, especially when you look at people coming from different provinces to watch this game.
“I don’t think other stadiums have got the capacity to carry the numbers.
“Obviously we don’t want to go back to the days where we had stampedes in the past. So I think FNB – I’m not saying we should go to FNB – but I think FNB will be suitable for such a big game.”
Meanwhile, Stadium Management SA (SMSA) managing director Bertie Grobbelaar told News24 that FNB Stadium “will be ready” for the Soweto Derby and the organisers of Monster Jam have been given a strict timeline to return the stadium to it’s original state after their event on 29 April.
He also added that the issue has been discussed with the club and the matter is now in the hands of the Premier Soccer League to make a decision on the venue for the semi-final.
FNB stadium is a Kaizer Chiefs FC home ground and one of the stadiums with a capacity that can handle all spectacles watching the Soweto derby unlike other stadiums.
Chiefs will face Sekhukhune United this weekend on Sunday, with the hope of getting maximum points and get the number two spot.
