Staff Reporter.
@TA.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has confirmed Moses Mabhida Stadium will host the upcoming MTN 8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City.
The fixture will take place on Saturday, 30 October with the kick-off time to be announced in due course.
This will be the fifth time the stadium hosts the final in past decade, with the most recent MTN 8 finals played at the KwaZulu-Natal arena in 2017 and 2018.
“This season’s tournament of the MTN 8 has proven to be an exhilarating and an interesting one and we expect the same for the final,” the PSL’s Head of Marketing Brand and Sponsorship, Nonhlanhla Nkosi said on Thursday.
“When choosing a venue for a cup final like the MTN 8, there are numerous elements that need to be considered. There is a consultative process where was a league consult with both participating clubs as well as with our sponsors.
“The preferred venue was considered by both Cape Town City and Mamelodi Sundowns, as well as MTN. They chose this venue because it is a world-class facility and has hosted numerous events, and also because it is a neutral ground for the teams taking part.”
For the first time in 18 months, the PSL could allow the return of the spectators to the stadium via the MTN8 final. On Wednesday afternoon, they announced that they are considering using the match as a “pilot project” after a briefing.
However, while they’ll meet and finalise the details after seven to 10 days, they’ll be in consultation with the mother body – the South African Football Association – after they were the first association to allow fans back into the stadium.
SAFA were the first association in the land to allow 2 000 vaccinated spectators in the stadium, during Bafana Bafana’s clash with Ethiopia in the World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday night. Bafana won the match by 1-0 after an own goal.