Bucs set to sail to EL if premier has his way
ECDC given ‘OK’ to source funds for visit
PREMIER Phumulo Masualle has given the Eastern Cape Development Cooperation the go-ahead to source funding to host Soweto soccer giants Orlando Pirates in the second leg of the Premier’s Cup next month.
The game would likely be held either in East London or Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to coincide with Nelson Mandela centenary celebrations.
It would see Chippa United go head-to-head with Pirates on July 22, according to a proposal the ECDC’s Thabo Shenxane put to Pirates chairman Dr Irvin Khoza.
In the inaugural Premier’s Cup last year, the Chilli Boys played against Kaizer Chiefs winning the match 1-0 at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
Masualle’s spokesman, Sonwabo Mbananga, confirmed the discussions.
“The premier received a request, subsequent to the successful inaugural Premier’s Cup Challenge, but the request was referred to the department of sports, recreation, arts and culture (Dsrac) to champion.
“ECDC has been requested to provide the sponsorship of the event and that is where the process is.
“The request to support this initiative is supported by the government because we believe in the possibilities which are developmental, and in particular which will be of benefit to the young people of this province,” said Mbananga.
“But we want it to be done in a way that is beyond reproach.
“Of course we would want that, whatever final modalities are put in place to regulate this thing, there should be a developmental aspect to it,” he added.
Discussions between ECDC chief executive officer Ndzondelelo Dlulane and Khoza are already under way.
The Dispatch has also seen a copy of an e-mail dated June 3, which was signed off by Pirate’s financial manager Darryl Joselowsky, in which the club confirms its interest in participating in the event, with conditions.
Mbananga said once Dlulane sourced the money to host Pirates, there would also have to be buy-in from the department of economic development and tourism.
“It will then come back to the premier through the cabinet for ratification.”
He said Dsrac would champion the project, once it had been adopted as a cabinet resolution.
Chippa United chairman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi said such developments were most welcome “as at the inaugural event, OTP had announced this as an annual event”.
“To learn that there are plans to keep their word to soccer-loving fans is a sigh of relief.
“To have a club of Pirates’s calibre makes the event worthwhile for both the Chilli Boys and the people of our province,” said Mpengesi.
Pirates spokeswoman Thandi Merafe declined to comment.
“The main office should be speaking on that,” said Merafe.
Shenxane could not be reached for comment at the time of writing.