DURBAN – The Telkom Knockout quarter-final clash between AmaZulu and Orlando Pirates might be moved to Moses Mabhida Stadium if there is no solution found regarding the security measures at King Zwelithini Stadium.
Usuthu were pitted against the Buccaneers after dumping Cape Town City out in the first round of the competition.
The PSL are yet to announce the venues for the quarter-finals, but they will be played next weekend.
Cavin Johnson’s team have been invincible this season in all the competitions at King Zwelithini Stadium.
They have beaten Baroka FC, Free State Stars and Cape Town City, and shared the spoils with Maritzburg United, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
The manager at AmaZulu, Qedusizi Dlamini, confirmed that the sponsors have raised some concerns about King Zwelithini.
“The league will make the decision based on our response. If they are not satisfied with our response, then the game will be moved to Moses Mabhida Stadium. But we recently hosted Pirates without any problems,” Dlamini said.
Usuthu registered three venues at the start of the season as per the PSL’s requirements.
King Zwelithini Stadium is their priority venue, and Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu is their secondary ground. The iconic Moses Mabhida is registered as the third venue.
“If the game can’t be played at King Zwelithini, then it should be taken to Princess Magogo in this case. I can’t see the reason to jump to Moses Mabhida.
“The league gave us the second, third and fourth of November. King Zwelithini is available on all those dates.
“All in all, we will abide by what the league instructs us to do. We will play anywhere – if they can take the game to Orlando Stadium, we will go out there and give our best,” Dlamini elaborated.
PSL acting chief executive Mato Madlala, when contacted about the Zwelithini issue, responded: “Not only the sponsors. We’ve raised a few things as the league, and AmaZulu have to write to us and respond about those issues.
“We have to go back and look at this performance. We made technical mistakes. There is a lot to think about,” Coach Cavin Johnson #AbsaPrem #DurbanHasMore #Usuthu_Unite #UkhoziFM #IlangaNewspaper pic.twitter.com/UV8nhzwXDU
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) October 27, 2018
“As it stands, no decision has been taken. We are still talking, and we want to see how we can deal with those issues. That’s why we haven’t released dates. We have to find a solution.
“Yes, AmaZulu have played Pirates at home, but that was their own game. This is a knockout competition, and we are responsible for everything that happens.
“We want teams to play where they want to play, but everything must be in order.”
The last time Usuthu hosted Pirates at King Zwelithini Stadium, they attracted 13 800 spectators.
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