Scene from the previous Soweto drby as FNB Stadium was filled to the rafters.
Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers
There’s no guessing when it’s derby week. The buzz is unmistakable, as the division of allegiances across the country becomes evident, especially in large social settings such as entertainment venues.
This weekend’s derby, set to be hosted at FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon (3pm), has been amplified by the fact that both Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are chasing invaluable three points, crucial to their end-of-season aspirations.
While the masses look forward to rallying behind their teams – Pirates aiming for the league title and Chiefs targeting a top-three finish – I can only hope supporters are also sharing meaningful messages and insights amid the banter leading up to the clash.
Kudos to both sets of supporters: the derby is sold out. That means there is huge interest not only in the game, but in the product – South African football – offering a return on investment for both the PSL and its sponsors, Betway.
“Sold out” means exactly that: no tickets are available online, at retail outlets, or at the stadium. Zilch. Nada. Dololo. Therefore, anyone without a ticket should not be anywhere near the stadium.
In the past two league derbies, there has been overcrowding at FNB Stadium, with attendance exceeding the 90,000-seat capacity. This was due to masses gaining entry with fake tickets or without tickets altogether.
This didn’t only endanger the players, but everyone inside the venue. Overcrowding can lead to stampedes and, tragically, fatalities – unfortunate and irreversible events that can be avoided if people adhere to simple rules and regulations.
As I write this, I’m reminded that 25 years ago, this month, more than 30,000 people beyond capacity flooded into the then 60,000-seat Ellis Park Stadium for this fixture, resulting in a stampede that claimed 43 lives.
It was a dark day for South African football, one that continues to haunt all stakeholders – the PSL, stadium management, security personnel, organisers and, most importantly, the families of those affected.
Given such history, the custodians of the Calabash, Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA), have been working to introduce improved and modernised measures to prevent such incidents, including enhanced ticketing systems.
Introduced this season, SMSA’s online ticketing system, MyTicket, has faced challenges due to technical glitches. They have acknowledged this and appealed for patience, urging fans to arrive early at the stadium.
While many have heeded that call, others have not. That reflects poorly on the Soweto derby and, more broadly, on South African football across the continent and globally.
SMSA, alongside South African Police Service (SAPS) and Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), have vowed to implement stricter measures to ensure that the overcrowding seen in February is not repeated on Sunday. That is reassuring, as it shows a genuine concern for the safety of everyone in and around the stadium.
But responsibility should not rest solely with authorities – it lies with the fans too. Supporters are the lifeblood of football; without them, the sport loses its spirit. The COVID-19 period showed just how empty the game feels without crowds.
After that, there was a collective promise to protect the game at all costs. Yet, some who continue to ignore derby regulations seem to have forgotten that commitment.
In doing so, they risk not only their own safety, but that of everyone else. That is unfair – jeopardising the joy and livelihood of millions.
So, let the stakes remain on the result of the game on Sunday – not on the lives of innocent people. The solution is simple: if you don’t have a ticket, stay away from the stadium.