Mamelodi Sundowns have refuted the PSL’s claim that no clubs objected to the Nedbank Cup Final being played at Orlando Stadium. 

Fans objected to the League’s decision to take the Tshwane Derby to Soweto, while SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt said that although there were positives to playing at Orlando Stadium, he would prefer if the PSL had a regular cup final venue.

Yesterday, the League released a statement countering supporters’ objections. 

In the statement the League stated that the four semi-finalists had been consulted, and that all four clubs had no objection to the Final being taken to Orlando Stadium on May 26. 

However, Sundowns have released a statement insisting they did in fact object to the proposed venue. 

“The recent reports in the media that suggest we had agreed to Orlando Stadium are not true and misleading and put us in poor light with our supporters and other stakeholders,” Sundowns’ legal and commercial manager Yogesh Singh says.

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“Mamelodi Sundowns supporters have responded angrily to this claim as they felt that they were seriously prejudiced by the decision to stage a Tshwane Derby in Soweto, against city rivals SuperSport United,” Sundowns’ statement reads.

“Fans have questioned the wisdom of staging this match in Soweto as it would involve additional traveling for the supporters.”

Singh explains that when the four semi-finalists were asked if they had objections to playing at Orlando Stadium, Sundowns “immediately objected to this proposal and lodged their objection in writing”

Singh contends that Sundowns further proposed that a Tshwane Derby Final should be played at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, owing to Loftus Stadium being unavailable because of pitch maintenance. 

“We indicated to the PSL that we would prefer for the Final to be played in Atteridgeville if we were in the Final with Supersport. The club values the support of our loyal supporters and the people of the city of Tshwane and playing a Tshwane Derby Final is a very special occasion, especially since it’s the first Tshwane Cup Final since the inception of the PSL and it seemed like the logical choice,” Singh says. 

“The other consideration was that Sundowns together with SuperSport and the City of Tshwane have been working together to build the Tshwane Derby and hosting the first final in Tshwane would give our Derby a huge shot in the arm. 

Singh adds, however, that Sundowns will respect the PSL’s decision. 

“Sundowns will work with the PSL, Nedbank and SuperSport to make the Final a memorable event for all our supporters’ and all the people of Tshwane,” he says. 

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