Kaizer Chiefs trip to Kruger United set for near sell-out at Mbombela Stadium

Mbombela Stadium officials are preparing for a capacity crowd of 43,000 when Betway Premiership newcomers Kruger United host Kaizer Chiefs in their season-opening clash on Saturday evening.

The match, which kicks off at 20:00, will be Kruger United’s first top-flight fixture since winning promotion from the Motsepe Foundation Championship, and the first competitive test for new Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz, who took charge at the beginning of July.

Stadium manager Roelf Kotze told KickOff that all planning is being done on the basis that every seat could be filled, with demand expected to escalate in the days leading up to the game.

“From our end, we are planning for a full house with this fixture,” Kotze said. “And that is 43 000.

“As of this morning (Wednesday), we were on about 12 000 ticket sales.

“People are buying continuously, so the numbers will rise towards full capacity on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

“Whether a full house will materialise, I’m not sure because it is a winter fixture in the evening, but we are planning for a full stadium all the same from all aspects, including security.

“What is important to stress is that fans should come early for a better stadium experience,” he added.

Tickets for the fixture are priced at R100.

Amakhosi interest drives ticket demand

The heavy interest is being driven both by curiosity around Kruger United’s first steps in the Betway Premiership and by the pull of Chiefs, who remain one of the division’s biggest draws.

Chiefs last appeared at Mbombela Stadium in December in a league meeting with TS Galaxy, a match that attracted a sizeable attendance. Their ability to draw crowds was underlined again at the weekend, when they helped pack Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace for the Toyota Cup on Sunday.

With that recent evidence of strong support, Mbombela officials are bracing for another major turnout as Chiefs begin a new era under Da Cruz.

Kruger United settle on Mbombela as home base

Kotze confirmed that Kruger United have committed to using Mbombela Stadium as their home venue for the season, meaning all of the promoted club’s home fixtures will be staged there.

“From our side, the agreement with Kruger is that they will play all their home games at Mbombela Stadium,” he said.

The decision provides the newly promoted side with a consistent home base as they adjust to life in the top flight, while also ensuring a steady programme of elite fixtures for the venue.

Talks ongoing with TS Galaxy

Mbombela Stadium is also in discussions with TS Galaxy over hosting some of their matches, with a focus on fixtures expected to attract larger crowds.

Then with Galaxy, they are in discussions slanting towards big games being kept at Mbombela, while the rest will be at Solomon Mahlangu in KwaMhlanga.

That plan would see Galaxy split their home matches between Mbombela and Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga, with the higher-profile encounters reserved for the larger Nelspruit venue.

Run of big fixtures to follow Chiefs opener

Saturday’s game is the first in a sequence of high-profile fixtures scheduled for Mbombela over the coming weeks.

After the Soweto giants visit on Saturday, Mbombela will host The Rockets and Mamelodi Sundowns on August 11 before Orlando Pirates come to play Kruger on September 1.

The visit of Mamelodi Sundowns to face TS Galaxy, followed by Orlando Pirates’ trip to play Kruger United, means all three of South Africa’s most widely supported clubs will appear at Mbombela in quick succession, reinforcing the stadium’s status as a key Betway Premiership venue for the new campaign.