Moses Mabhida considered for future Soweto derbies amid FNB Stadium crowd concerns

The Soweto Derby could be moved to Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban after renewed concerns over overcrowding at FNB Stadium, with Orlando Pirates legend Thapelo Liau saying supporters’ safety must come first.

The latest meeting between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs was again affected by crowd-management problems at the 90,000-capacity venue. Sadium Management South Africa told KickOff on Monday that 6 000 supporters were left outside after the stadium gates were closed before kick-off.

The incident has prompted further questions over whether FNB Stadium can continue hosting the fixture, which regularly attracts huge interest from supporters.

PSL chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza criticised organisers for failing to resolve the recurring issues, despite previous assurances that crowd management would improve. A meeting involving the relevant stakeholders is scheduled for Thursday to determine why the same problems happened again.

Khoza raised the prospect of using Moses Mabhida Stadium while speaking at the PSL offices during a courtesy visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday. He noted that similar crowd problems had not occurred at the Durban venue.

Liau believes the demand for tickets has grown as football has become increasingly popular among younger supporters, particularly since the 2010 World Cup.

“Especially after 2010 (World Cup), a lot of people regained interest in football. Let me give an example about Pirates games only at Orlando. Players like Relebohile Mofokeng managed to attract theama-2000 generation crowd. Now you see these kids in the stadium,” the former midfielder said.

“Before, mostly it was only adults. But now you check the crowd, high school, varsity kids, there’s a lot of them now. So, the demand has grown too much.”

Moses Mabhida an option

Although Liau accepts that the safety of supporters has to be the priority, he still believes FNB Stadium is the most suitable venue because of its larger capacity.

“But the safety of the people comes first. Remember when the Nedbank Cup final between Pirates and Chiefs went to Moses Mabhida, we thought it was going to be a stampede and all of that, but there was no such,” he said.

Liau acknowledged that a move to Durban would disappoint some supporters, but argued that the rivalry now extends beyond Johannesburg.

“Obviously, people won’t be happy, but Pirates and Chiefs are no longer just Jo’burg teams,” he added.

“I think the derby is nicer at FNB Stadium because it gives a lot of people an opportunity to watch the game. It’s a bigger venue, unlike Moses Mabhida.

“I just wish this issue is resolved,” said Liau, who is affectionately known as ‘Abuti Bula Boot’.