It's official, the Nedbank Cup last 32 game between ABC Motsepe League outfit EC Bees and struggling Premier Soccer League giants Orlando Pirates will be played at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium next month.
This was confirmed by the Premier Soccer League yesterday when it announced the Bhisho team will entertain the Buccaneers on March 12 (kick-off 3pm).
This means the Mdantsane stadium, which received heavy criticism for its poor drainage system when Chippa United and Mamelodi Sundowns played to a 1-1 stalemate, will host an extra high-profile game.
It was initially planned to host four Chippa games, but with the David v Goliath encounter in three weeks’ time, top-flight soccer-starved East London fans will get to witness one of the biggest clubs in the country.
But with expected rain next week, questions will be asked whether the venue will be in a playable condition next week for the Chippa and Golden Arrows game.
In Tuesday night’s game, the pitch was heavy, muddy and unplayable in parts because of the rains that hit the township for days leading up to the big game.
Sundowns coach, Pitso Mosimane even went as far as calling it a grazing field.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, PSL spokesman Luxolo September said they had confidence in the venue.
“Honestly speaking, we wanted to take the game to Buffalo City Stadium, but the pitch there is unplayable.
“They’ve got a bit of work to do on Sisa Dukashe Stadium, but the mayor there, as well as the MEC , have shown a lot of appetite to have football there,” said September.
“The pitch was approved by us as it meets minimum requirements, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
When the draw was done earlier this month, Bees announced their desire of taking the biggest game in the history of the young amateur club to Sisa Dukashe.
And the team’s prayers were answered when the PSL announced the venues, dates and times of the Nedbank last 32 games.
Team manager Zama Nene was ecstatic at the news: “It means quite a lot to us that we will be bringing football to Mdantsane fans and the greater Eastern Cape. We are moving full steam ahead with preparations, which started about three weeks ago.
“I saw a beautifully packed stadium when Chippa played against Sundowns and we are hoping that the fans will also support us and pack the stadium,” she said.
Nene admitted that it was “unfortunate” that it had been raining non-stop for days leading up to the Chippa and Sundowns tie.
Nene confirmed that they were concerned about the poor drainage systems at the stadium.
“It is a worry but with God on our side, it will be blazing hot that day,” said Nene.
With the Sea Robbers experiencing one of their worst seasons yet, Bees aim to add to their woes by knocking them out of the competition. This would mean there might be another game at Sisa Dukashe if Bees progress to the last 16.
Pakati said the Bees and Pirates game would not only have economic spin-offs for the city, but would also profile the metro.
The mayor said while Mosimane’s criticism of the pitch was unfair, the metro faced a challenge with their sports facilities.
“The urgency of having that facility in Mdantsane upgraded can no longer be delayed. We must have a state-of-the-art facility in the metro,” he said, adding that as political leaders, they have to discuss and come up with a plan.
And while Bees hope to cause the upset of the round, provincial neighbours Chippa United will be out to avoid the proverbial banana skin when they host National First Division promotion hopefuls, Witbank Spurs, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday at 7.30pm.
Bucs heading to Sisa
This was confirmed by the Premier Soccer League yesterday when it announced the Bhisho team will entertain the Buccaneers on March 12 (kick-off 3pm).
This means the Mdantsane stadium, which received heavy criticism for its poor drainage system when Chippa United and Mamelodi Sundowns played to a 1-1 stalemate, will host an extra high-profile game.
It was initially planned to host four Chippa games, but with the David v Goliath encounter in three weeks’ time, top-flight soccer-starved East London fans will get to witness one of the biggest clubs in the country.
But with expected rain next week, questions will be asked whether the venue will be in a playable condition next week for the Chippa and Golden Arrows game.
In Tuesday night’s game, the pitch was heavy, muddy and unplayable in parts because of the rains that hit the township for days leading up to the big game.
Sundowns coach, Pitso Mosimane even went as far as calling it a grazing field.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, PSL spokesman Luxolo September said they had confidence in the venue.
“Honestly speaking, we wanted to take the game to Buffalo City Stadium, but the pitch there is unplayable.
“They’ve got a bit of work to do on Sisa Dukashe Stadium, but the mayor there, as well as the MEC , have shown a lot of appetite to have football there,” said September.
“The pitch was approved by us as it meets minimum requirements, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
When the draw was done earlier this month, Bees announced their desire of taking the biggest game in the history of the young amateur club to Sisa Dukashe.
And the team’s prayers were answered when the PSL announced the venues, dates and times of the Nedbank last 32 games.
Team manager Zama Nene was ecstatic at the news: “It means quite a lot to us that we will be bringing football to Mdantsane fans and the greater Eastern Cape. We are moving full steam ahead with preparations, which started about three weeks ago.
“I saw a beautifully packed stadium when Chippa played against Sundowns and we are hoping that the fans will also support us and pack the stadium,” she said.
Nene admitted that it was “unfortunate” that it had been raining non-stop for days leading up to the Chippa and Sundowns tie.
Nene confirmed that they were concerned about the poor drainage systems at the stadium.
“It is a worry but with God on our side, it will be blazing hot that day,” said Nene.
With the Sea Robbers experiencing one of their worst seasons yet, Bees aim to add to their woes by knocking them out of the competition. This would mean there might be another game at Sisa Dukashe if Bees progress to the last 16.
Pakati said the Bees and Pirates game would not only have economic spin-offs for the city, but would also profile the metro.
The mayor said while Mosimane’s criticism of the pitch was unfair, the metro faced a challenge with their sports facilities.
“The urgency of having that facility in Mdantsane upgraded can no longer be delayed. We must have a state-of-the-art facility in the metro,” he said, adding that as political leaders, they have to discuss and come up with a plan.
And while Bees hope to cause the upset of the round, provincial neighbours Chippa United will be out to avoid the proverbial banana skin when they host National First Division promotion hopefuls, Witbank Spurs, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday at 7.30pm.
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