Soccer fever grips city
Tickets sell like hot-cakes for titanic Chippa-Chiefs battle
THE future of top-flight football in the Bay will be on the line when Chippa United host Kaizer Chiefs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium tomorrow in a clash which is significant to both sides, but for vastly different reasons.
Soccer fever has gripped the metro for the past few days as fans anticipate a titanic struggle between the championselect and the struggling Bay outfit, who are fighting for survival. With about 25 000 tickets already sold, the “house full” signs could go up long before the 3pm kickoff tomorrow.
Adding spice to the occasion is the fact that the handsome Premiership trophy will be handed over to Chiefs captain Tefu Mashamaite at the end of the match.
To add to all the activity of the weekend, the Bay will be abuzz with the DA’s federal congress at the Boardwalk ICC, the annual Spar Women’s Race tomorrow and the Mother’s Day Prawn Festival at the Fairview racecourse on Sunday.
Chiefs fans have been flocking into the city all week to witness what should be a special day in the long and proud history of the Soweto giants.
Safa president Danny Jordaan is expected to attend along with Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle, Sport MEC Pemmy Majodina, PSL chief executive Brand de Villiers and Absa executive David Hodnett.
Though Chiefs clinched the title some time back, Premiership officials ruled they would have to wait until the final day of the season before they were able to get their hands on the coveted trophy.
While Chiefs are assured of silverware, there is an even bigger prize at stake for Chippa United, who will be playing for survival in the top echelon of South African soccer. There are many permutations, the simple one being that a draw will be good enough to keep Chippa afloat in the big time.
Chippa United became a Port Eliza- beth-based club in June last year when they tied up a reputed R36-million deal over three years with the Eastern Cape government.
At a media briefing yesterday, representatives of the municipality, tourism and Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium management spoke of how crucial it was that Chippa retain their PSL status.
Bay sports and recreation executive director Noxolo Nqwazi said if Chippa were relegated, their funding would be reduced.
“We have an agreement with Chippa United and it specifically stipulates what kind of support they would get when they are in the PSL and how it would be affected if they dropped to the National First Division,” she said.
“They will still be a Nelson Mandela Bay club but, financially, the support will not be the same. So for Chippa to be in the PSL it is important in terms of our return on investment.”
Nqwazi said the municipality had a management committee that met quarterly to review the running of the club.
“We are going to be counting every rand and cent that is going to be spent in the city because that will be our return on investment,” she said.
“Throughout the year, we have been saying we are making an investment into Chippa United and, strategically, through that investment we should be able to get something out of it. It is very important for the municipality that Chippa stay in the PSL because they will be able to attract other big games.” She said the metro was
confident that the Chilli Boys would survive relegation tomorrow.
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism marketing and communications manager Titus Chuene said if Chippa dropped to the First Division the city’s marketing value would decrease. “As soon as it was announced that the trophy would be handed over here, the city has been in the news for the right reasons for the last three weeks,” he said.
“The marketing value and the media exposure that we are getting is immense.
“So should we lose the status, obviously we would also lose the marketing value that we are getting.
“Chippa’s stay in the PSL is very important because we wouldn’t be able to host teams such as Kaizer Chiefs in future.
“We wouldn’t be able to bring in PSL action to our city for our people.”
Stadium chief executive Chantal du Pisani said if the Chilli Boys did not survive relegation, they would have to vacate the stadium.
“If they are relegated, they would possibly remain in the Bay but play from one of our B league stadiums,” she said.
“Chippa United as an anchor tenant forms a very integral part of our business plan going forward.
“The idea for the stadium has always been about stadium sustainability.
“The only way we believe we can attain that is by having two equal tenants that play top-flight sport. That is the business model that we follow.
“So Chippa’s status as a member of the PSL is very important to us. We are holding our breath and hoping for the best. I believe that it will happen.”
The stadium was “all systems go” for the big event. “We love the idea of big events; it gives us a sense of purpose,” Du Pisani said.
“So we are certainly looking forward to hosting a sold-out event.”
Meanwhile, Bay soccer lovers have mixed feelings about the game.
Kaizer Chiefs supporter Xolani Dyantyi, 28 of Kwazakhele, is hopeful his side can produce the goods. “I am expecting Chiefs to end the season in style and win against Chippa. I want them to collect more points and set a new record in the PSL,” he said.
Chippa supporter Phumlani Sobekwa, 39, of Salamntu, said the Chilli Boys needed to be disciplined going into their game with Amakhosi.
“They must attack and not be scared of Kaizer Chiefs.
“They must play with confidence and they will be able to beat Chiefs and get those valuable points,” Sobekwa said
Chiefs supporter Olwethu Ngqola was in two minds. “If Chippa go down, we won’t have the opportunity to see PSL teams play here in PE any more.”