Historic clash of the titans awaits Mbombela’s soccer supporters

The prayers of every soccer fan in Mpumalanga have been answered as two Premier Soccer League giants, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, are coming to Mbombela.

The two will face each other for the first time at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday June 1 in the Nedbank Cup’s final clash.

The 2010 Soccer World Cup stadium was selected as the venue for the tourney’s final, and this announcement created some hype with local soccer fans hoping the Pirates and Sundowns get to play here for the first time since the stadium was constructed.

This dream final will also serve as a test for the stadium, to see if it can accommodate a game of this magnitude with a possible sold-out crowd.
It will, however, be the second time the Mbombela Stadium gets to host the Nedbank Cup final, following the memorable 2011 final between Orlando Pirates and Black Leopards. Pirates went on to win that fixture 3-1.

The Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) acting CEO, Mato Madlala, highlighted the importance of spreading the football experience to neighbouring countries through the selection of Mpumalanga as the host venue, in collaboration with Nedbank.

“We are thrilled to bring the Nedbank Cup final back to Mbombela Stadium, a venue rich in football history, having hosted memorable matches in the 2010 Fifa World Cup and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. This is a pivotal occasion for both the PSL and our partner, Nedbank, as it highlights our joint dedication to expanding football’s reach and impact throughout South Africa. Moreover, hosting the final in Mbombela will also cater to football enthusiasts from neighbouring countries like Mozambique and eSwatini, thereby boosting tourism in the region. We eagerly anticipate an electrifying final that will captivate live audiences, as well as those who will tune in on TV and the radio,” said Madlala.

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Reflecting on the journey thus far, Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank’s group executive for marketing and corporate affairs, reminded fans that this year’s Nedbank Cup is more than just the on-the-field action, but also about the empowerment, emotions and connections that football creates.

“We continue our commitment to the fans and in the spirit of Ke Yona, Ya Rona, we are bringing fans closer to the tournament by continuously taking the final showpiece around the country to showcase South Africa’s vast tourism activities, with 12 different venues used across South Africa since 2008,” said Nobanda.

Mbombela Stadium’s spokesperson, Mthuthuzeli Zondo, said they are more than ready for the big day. “We are ready for this clash and to welcome about 40 000 soccer fans from across the country and our neighbours Mozambique and eSwatini. As you would know and recall, we have hosted a number of big national and international games here, and we have gained a lot of experience from hosting such sporting events, which will now come in handy as we host one of the biggest matches in the history of this stadium and country.

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“Both teams are currently playing good football and this already makes this encounter a must-see. We would therefore like to plead with our fans to buy tickets early in order to avoid losing out,” said Zondo.