Soweto Derby could be moved from FNB Stadium, says PSL chairman Irvin Khoza

Premier Soccer League chairman Dr Irvin Khoza has warned that the Soweto Derby could be taken to another province after the latest meeting between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs was affected by serious crowd-control problems.

Saturday’s match at FNB Stadium saw a number of supporters enter without valid tickets, creating a major surge of spectators inside the stands.

The fixture has been staged at the venue, also known as the Calabash, since 2001. It was moved there as part of disaster-management measures following the 2001 Ellis Park stampede, in which 43 fans died.

Khoza said Durban could provide an alternative venue for future editions of South Africa’s biggest domestic fixture, pointing to the city’s record of successfully hosting high-profile matches involving the two clubs.

“We went to Durban for the final between Pirates and Chiefs in the Nedbank [Cup], nothing happened of the sort. Pirates and [Mamelodi] Sundowns [MTN 8 final], nothing of the sort happened. Why here?” asked the PSL chairman.

He said the problems at FNB Stadium had involved several parties who had failed to fulfil their responsibilities. Khoza added that he had requested a briefing for Thursday before deciding whether those involved should be publicly identified.

“There are certain role-players that are not playing their part, but I cannot name and shame them on TV because I have asked for a briefing on Thursday to make sure that if they don’t make up on the act, we’re gonna name and shame them because they are letting us down,” he said.

Khoza stressed that match-day preparations in Durban involved greater cooperation between the relevant organisations and officials.

“In Durban, all hands are on deck when we go and play our games there. Maybe the future will be, instead of going to FNB, we must go to Durban because they are good hosts and they do things professionally,” he added.

The next Soweto Derby is scheduled for 13 March, with Kaizer Chiefs the home side. That match will be played towards the end of the league season, unless the clubs meet earlier in the Carling Knockout.

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are both involved in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals this weekend, leaving open the possibility of another derby before their league fixture.