EThekwini Municipality City Manager Musa Mbhele has hit back at claims that Durban pays bribes to secure PSL cup finals.
Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium has been confirmed as the venue for the upcoming MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
The match is scheduled for 10 October, with kick-off at 18:00. It will be the 10th time in the past 15 years that Moses Mabhida Stadium hosts the MTN8 final.
Amid questions over the repeated selection of Durban, particularly for the MTN8 final, Mbhele said the municipality was not desperate enough to resort to what he described as “unethical” practices to secure matches.
He said MTN itself understands the marketing value of hosting the final in Durban, adding that the city’s popularity among football fans is another factor behind its selection.
“I may sound arrogant but it’s the only way I can put it, we’re not so desperate to boost tourism to such an extent that we can do unethical things like that,” said
“We are a big if not one of the biggest tourist destinations. When people think of coming to come to Durban when there’s an event of like the one of the 10th
“We do not pay to host these matches. People love Durban because of the electric atmosphere here. We are the destination of choice.
“MTN themselves know that their brand will do well to market their brand well because we’re one of the largest metros. Accommodation establishments are there and beaches and other things.”