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Nedbank Cup trophy.
Premier Soccer League Chief Executive Officer Manto Madlala has confirmed that a server crash on Monday led to the ticketing chaos ahead of the eagerly-awaited Nedbank Cup final in Durban.
Soccer fans were left disappointed as the 41 000 available tickets sold out in 90 minutes, with 10 000 tickets over-issued. Much of a pre-game media conference focused on the ticket sales debacle on Monday, which left thousands of fans fuming.
Social media was abuzz as fans voiced their frustration and anger over the ticket sales flop. Many queued for hours online and at retailers without success. Many fans queried why the popular Soweto derby final is held at the Moses Mabhida stadium, which has a capacity of 49 000.
The PSL says they used Open Ticket as a service provider, who has since apologised for the system crash, which they say was due to the high demand. Another service provider was roped in to assist.
“On Monday, we started looking for solutions. One of the reasons that caused the over-subscription was when they couldn’t access it. The service provider’s website, then we look for a solution to see how else we can even rather than queue, because there was a queue of 3 000 people, so we said what other target solution can provide, and we spoke to Computicket,” says Manto Madlala, PSL CEO.
The PSL gave the insurance; however that fans with over-sold tickets will be re-imbursed. Meanwhile, the Soweto giants’ coaches are promising a spectacular game.
“Since the inception of this competition we have won it ten times, they have won it 13 times currently, they have scored 14 goals, I think they are the top scores only conceded two is not going to be an easy match but as usual we will play this match to try and win and give it our best shot and create history to be the first club in the PSL to win it three time consecutively,” says Mandla Ncikazi, Pirates Coach.
“It’s a privilege to play them two times in such a short period, but a final is a final, and I and very happy that all the pressure from this final is on Orlando Pirates’ shoulders,” says Cedric Kaze, Kaizer Chiefs Coach.
The city is to set up two public viewing areas in Durban.
“The demand of the spectators when the final was announced to be a derby, we knew that there was going to be a high demand for this match so as part of the planning, we did confirm that the city is going to provide two pva’s to allow people who want to watch with others those two pva one is beachfront the other is at Albert Park,” says Dr Vusi Mazibuko, Moses Mabhida stadium manager.
Low enforcement agencies are on standby to keep a close eye on the Stadium precinct. PRASA says trains will be available for fans in and around Durban.
Video: Nedbank Cup | Soweto giants fight for more than bragging rights
