No More Soweto Derby At FNB Stadium? Dr Khoza Makes A Major Announcement

Khoza Threatens To Move Soweto Derby As He Vows To Name And Shame Those Behind FNB Stadium Chaos

Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Dr Irvin Khoza has issued a strong warning following the chaos that surrounded the latest Soweto Derby, revealing that those responsible for the organisational failures could soon be publicly exposed.

The PSL boss has also hinted at a potentially significant change to the hosting arrangements of South African football’s biggest fixture, suggesting that the iconic encounter between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs could be moved away from FNB Stadium in future.

His comments follow Saturday’s highly anticipated Betway Premiership clash, which saw Orlando Pirates defeat their traditional rivals 2-1. Although the Buccaneers secured an important victory on the pitch, the match was overshadowed by serious concerns surrounding crowd management, stadium access and supporter safety.

Thousands of supporters reportedly struggled to gain entry to FNB Stadium despite having purchased tickets. Reports indicated that approximately 6,000 spectators were left outside the venue, with some frustrated fans expressing their anger after being denied access.

The situation also raised questions about the effectiveness of the security and organisational arrangements put in place ahead of the highly anticipated encounter.

Speaking after the incident, Khoza made it clear that the league was unhappy with the way certain stakeholders handled their responsibilities.

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

His remarks suggest that the PSL intends to establish exactly what went wrong before deciding on the appropriate action against those who failed to fulfil their responsibilities.

Perhaps the biggest development from Khoza’s comments is the possibility that the Soweto Derby could be staged in another province.

The PSL chairman specifically highlighted Durban’s ability to host major football events without experiencing similar crowd-management problems.

He pointed to the Nedbank Cup final between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, which was successfully staged at Moses Mabhida Stadium, as an example of how such a high-profile encounter could be organised.

Khoza also referenced the Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns final, questioning why Johannesburg continued to experience problems surrounding major football fixtures.

“Maybe in the future, instead of going to FNB Stadium, let’s go to Durban because they are good hosts. They do things professionally. All our events are seamless,” he added.

His statement has opened an interesting discussion about whether FNB Stadium should continue hosting the country’s biggest football spectacle.

Meanwhile, Moses Mabhida Stadium management has indicated its willingness to accommodate major football fixtures, including the Soweto Derby.

Stadium manager Zakhi Mkhize expressed confidence in Durban’s ability to host the encounter, explaining that organising major sporting events requires cooperation between different departments across the city.

The possibility of relocating the derby would represent a significant development for South African football, considering the historical connection between the fixture and Johannesburg.

However, the PSL’s immediate priority appears to be establishing accountability and ensuring that similar incidents do not happen again.

For now, no official decision has been announced regarding a change of venue.

Nevertheless, Khoza’s warning sends a clear message to everyone involved in organising the Soweto Derby: the safety of supporters and the professional delivery of major football events cannot be compromised.

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