Secure our games

IT DOES not have to take many violent incidents at our soccer stadiums to soil South Africa’s otherwise good reputation as a host for peaceful soccer games.

Nor does it require thousands hooligans pretending to be fans to destroy the beautiful game.

However, one ugly incident such as the one that unfolded during a Premier Soccer League clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Lamontville Golden Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium, can cause untold damage.

Referee Lwandile Mfiki narrowly escaped injury when a Chiefs fan-turned-hooligan stormed onto the pitch in protest against the referee’s decisions. How he sprinted from his seat, passed an entourage of supposed security personnel, to reach near the centre of the field puzzled soccer administrators.

They should not have been puzzled. Soccer administrators need to understand that not all violent incidents can be predicted – which is why they happen in the first place.

Had it been possible to predict such incidents, surely soccer authorities wouldn’t have difficulties putting together preventative security measures.

But it is precisely the unpredictability of the behaviour of hooligans that should compel soccer administrators to ensure that all games – big and small – are highly secured.

Tomorrow, Moses Mabhida Stadium hosts the Nedbank Cup Final between Chiefs and SuperSport United. No doubt the teams’ coaching staff, the match officials and the fans will remember the hooligan who almost managed to hit Mfiki with a vuvuzela.

They will wonder whether such an incident – or even worse – could happen again in a high-stakes match involving Chiefs.

Phillip Masimong, the PSL’s general manager of safety and security, has promised highlevel security and threatened tougher action against those who misbehave. While Masimong’s undertakings should be welcome and appreciated, it would make much more sense if the same approach was adopted in all matches.

That said, the Nedbank final promises to be the best and toughest clash yet between the Soweto and Tshwane rivals.

Buoyed by their ABSA Premiership victory – which they won despite their less-than impressive last four games – Chiefs look forward to add to the silverware.

But the victory could also serve as a disincentive, leaving hungry United, yet to beat Chiefs this year, to clinch the Nedbank Cup.

A stage is set for a thriller.