Pirates back Downs, Chiefs root for UnitedIt might be called the battle for Pretoria, but its spoils – regardless of the result – are more likely to be enjoyed in Soweto than in the capital city.
Super Stadium will be the venue for the battle on Thursday in which 8000 more seats – they were previously unavailable – have been made available to the public.
According to PSL general manager Andile Ace Ncobo, this Category-A battle has been given the go-ahead by the engineer in charge of the stadium. He declared the seats safe, raising the capacity to 30000.
Ncobo and Downs media manager Mahlatse Mphahlele said there will be no problem with crowd control, though it will be difficult to estimate the number of fans who will arrive at the stadium.
“I have been informed that the stand has been approved and a safety licence was issued. We are confident that there will be no safety issue,” said Ncobo.
This is one of those matches whose result will go a long way in determining who gets their hands on the R10million league championship prize at the end of the season. There is little doubt that the part of Soweto whose blood is black and white will be rooting for Sundowns to emerge winners in this tussle.
With 43 points and second on the log, Bucs are three points behind United and the Soweto side, who have hit their straps, are well placed to benefit in the event of Gavin Hunt’s team stumbling.
In contrast, a win for United will be preferable for Amakhosi, as they will then stay in third place with 40 points, and in touch with the leaders.
Amakhosi are eyeing a prime spot for themselves by the time May 9 arrives, particularly as a ban placed on them by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been lifted.
Having mauled each other in the MTN 8 Cup in an intense clash, Downs and United’s first round match ended in an anti- climactic 1-all draw.
This time, the gloves will be off and a lot is at stake for both Hunt and Downs coach Henri Michel, who – after a 3-0 win in Mauritius – seems to now be on the same page as his players.
Linda Moreotsene
source: www.sowetan.co.za/Sport/SoccerZone/Article.aspx?id=960568-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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