FNB Stadium will be able to host South Africa's biggest football match, the Soweto Derby, even though the pitch is still in poor condition, that's according to Stadium Management South Africa.
Orlando Pirates host Kaizer Chiefs in what is a sold-out affair on Saturday, with both sets of supporters expecting nothing less than a captivating display of football on the day.
Responding to this publication about the state of the pitch at FNB Stadium, SMSA Chief Executive Officer Bertie Grobbelaar sent a statement explaining why the lawn at the stadium is not in good condition, as seen during Amakhosi's Nedbank Cup Last 32 encounter against Free Agents FC on Sunday.
"Over a period of 30 days, from 14 December 2024 to 19 January 2025, FNB Stadium successfully hosted three full-capacity concert events, with the final concert taking place on Sunday, 19 January 2025. Under normal PSL scheduling, where the Derby is traditionally played in late February or early March, there would have been sufficient time for full pitch restoration. These concert events were planned accordingly.
"However, the extraordinary change in the PSL schedule, with both Soweto Derby 2024'2025 season fixtures played in 2025, significantly impacted our reinstatement timelines.
"The pitch for the fixture played on 26 January 2025, just three days after the final concert load-out, was understandably in poor condition, and this was communicated to the teams involved.
"The SMSA and Sporturf pitch maintenance teams have since been working tirelessly to ensure the best possible playing surface for the Soweto Derby. While the pitch may not be as aesthetically pristine as I would like it to be, we are confident it will provide a surface that contributes to the spectacle of this much-anticipated fixture.
"SMSA remains committed to balancing our role in managing a multi-purpose venue while maintaining world-class football conditions," read Grobbelaar's statement to KickOff.com.