I
hope sanity will prevail as a befitting outcome of the Premier Soccer League
(PSL) and MTN meeting today. The outcome of the meeting should be to defer the
midweek MTN8 fixture between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates to a weekend for
the sake of fans safety and convenient.
Reasons for
rescheduling MTN8 fixture between Chiefs and Pirates:
1.
Chiefs and Pirates game can't be played midweek to avoid any possible
catastrophic disaster happened in the 11 April 2011 known as the Ellis Park
Stadium disaster which was the worst and heartbreaking sporting accident in
South African soccer history.
2. Midweek game will inconvenient loyal fans of both teams from outside Gauteng province. It is not a rocket scientist to conclude that many reliable Chiefs and Pirates fans who enjoy watching games live in the stadium stay outside Gauteng Province as currently, the turnout of Gauteng fans for other Chiefs and Pirates games beside derby is unimpressive. Gauteng fans prefer to watch soccer live on TV at their own comfort than going to the stadium.
3. It would be unfair midweek fixture as many fans have to report to their duties the following day which might resulted in a chaotic situation outside the stadium when fans will be traveling to their respective destinations. Fans will be impatient and intolerant to each other rushing to go home early which might cause serious challenges post the game but the weekend fixture will make fans to be considerate, tolerate and patient as they will have another free day (Sunday) to rest properly.
4. The tickets might not be sold out on weekday fixture. To promote carnival mood in the stadium amongst fans, the game should be shifted to a weekend with guaranteed sold out tickets.
Safety of football fans should be a priority when proper decision is taken. Let’s hope that the PSL and MTN8 will succumb to the fans pressure to postpone the forthcoming midweek MTN8 Semi-final, first leg derby fixture to weekend.
What's your view?
2. Midweek game will inconvenient loyal fans of both teams from outside Gauteng province. It is not a rocket scientist to conclude that many reliable Chiefs and Pirates fans who enjoy watching games live in the stadium stay outside Gauteng Province as currently, the turnout of Gauteng fans for other Chiefs and Pirates games beside derby is unimpressive. Gauteng fans prefer to watch soccer live on TV at their own comfort than going to the stadium.
3. It would be unfair midweek fixture as many fans have to report to their duties the following day which might resulted in a chaotic situation outside the stadium when fans will be traveling to their respective destinations. Fans will be impatient and intolerant to each other rushing to go home early which might cause serious challenges post the game but the weekend fixture will make fans to be considerate, tolerate and patient as they will have another free day (Sunday) to rest properly.
4. The tickets might not be sold out on weekday fixture. To promote carnival mood in the stadium amongst fans, the game should be shifted to a weekend with guaranteed sold out tickets.
Safety of football fans should be a priority when proper decision is taken. Let’s hope that the PSL and MTN8 will succumb to the fans pressure to postpone the forthcoming midweek MTN8 Semi-final, first leg derby fixture to weekend.
What's your view?
By Owen
Mashudu
