Orlando Pirates media officer Thandi Merafe has clarified that the Buccaneers will use the away change room at FNB Stadium on Wednesday, while Mamelodi Sundowns will be allowed in the home change room of resident team Kaizer Chiefs.
Last year, the game between Pirates and Sundowns kicked off six minutes delayed because Masandawana were based in older change rooms further away from the pitch, with the home change room not opened up.
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However, the issue has been resolved this time around, with Sundowns being allowed to use the home change room, usually occupied by Amakhosi, after an agreement between Chiefs and Stadium Management SA.
“We need to thank Kaizer Chiefs for allowing Sundowns as the visiting side to use their dressing room,” Merafe explained on Sports Night Amplified.
“The only reason why it wasn’t available before was because the resident team didn’t feel comfortable having someone else take up that space.
“So, we are grateful for the opportunity. I think it also enhances the competition aspect of things, and the league, nothing untoward that might possibly bring the league into disrepute could potentially happen now with this matter being resolved.
“So, we are happy for this arrangement being in place, and that was done between Stadium Management and Kaizer Chiefs.
“As Orlando Pirates as the home team in this instance, we are grateful that it could be amicably resolved.”
Merafe also explained that the game was taken to FNB Stadium instead of the Orlando Amstel Arena to ensure safety during a midweek evening kick off.
“If the match was on a Saturday afternoon, we probably would’ve played there,” she added.
“But looking at a midweek fixture with an evening kick-off, as a club we just had to take the decision that puts the safety and security of the patrons that are coming through, the Bucs faithful that have been doing so amazingly well in terms of supporting us.
“We would’ve loved to play at Orlando, but when you consider all the elements, the safety and security and understanding how the fixture has grown in stature over the years,”
“It’s not just a top-of-the-table clash because of league positioning but it’s also a top-of-the-table clash because of the rivalry that has been growing and that has been steadily coming along between these two clubs, not only from a performance perspective but also from a fan perspective, the banter that you see out there.
“We needed to make a difficult decision that will put our fans and the safety of the event first.”
The match kicks off at 19:30 on Wednesday evening, with Pirates having the chance to go nine points clear off Sundowns, while the league champions could cut their gap on the current leaders to just three points with a game in hand.
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