Chiefs and Pirates ‘miss’ fans at stadiums
Chiefs and Pirates miss their 12th man at the stadium.
Supporters Dineo Mokwena (Pirates kit) and Grace Matlou (Chiefs kit) pose for a portrait outside FNB Stadium.
Joseph Makhanya says Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have been struggling without fans at the stadiums, but hopes things might change soon.
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The Soweto giants have been playing in empty stadiums since March last year due to lockdown regulations enforced by the government owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
This week , 2000 vaccinated fans were allowed to attend Bafana Bafana’s Fifa World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia at the FNB Stadium.
However, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has since issued a statement saying that they are not ready to welcome the fans back to the stadiums.
Makhanya says clubs like Chiefs and Pirates need their fans back at the stadiums.
“It is a good thing (for fans to go back to the stadium), because it is not nice when you are used to going to the stadium and now you find yourself having to watch the game at home. Even if it’s at the comfort of your own home, but the vibe that is being created in the stadium you tend to miss it. I have seen how big teams have been struggling in the absence of fans,” said Makhanya.
“It tells you how important it is to have the 12th man. So, as things are opening up, we are hoping supporters can be allowed to go to the stadiums on the basis that it is safe. But I still say people miss going to the stadiums and the players miss having their supporters at the games.”
Meanwhile, the PSL executive is set meet again to discuss the process of getting the fans back at the grounds and they will communicate the approach that will be taken after the meeting.
