The Premier Soccer League (PSL) never ceases to surprise — and on Tuesday the national professional soccer body took the decision to stage the forthcoming Coca-Cola Cup semifinal between Ajax Cape Town and Supersport United at unfamiliar soccer territory in Kimberley.
”The decision,” said PSL operations officer Sizwe Ndzimande, ”falls in line with the league’s aim to spread the soccer gospel throughout the country.”
But with the capacity of the Kimberley Stadium barely 12 000 and hardly measuring up to the stature of the town’s Big Hole, the PSL’s decision to go to the Diamond City next Saturday might not prove the shining example of enterprise that is envisaged.
However, the big draw card of the semifinals between Orlando Pirates and Jomo Cosmos next Sunday should emerge as a crowd-pulling jewel at Rustenburg Royal Bafokeng Sport Palace.
The blood-knot affinity between the clubs resulting from Cosmos owner Jomo Sono’s long-standing previous association with Pirates and his club’s recent revival would seem to ensure a capacity crowd of approximately 40 000 in Rustenburg.
Adding an element of intrigue to the game is the fact that this is the first time the fiercely supported Buccaneers have reached the semifinal stage, while Cosmos are a previous holder.
Supersport, in addition to being the losing finalists against Kaizer Chiefs last year, will also be bidding in Kimberley to achieve the unique feat of qualifying for five successive major PSL finals. — Sapa
Semifinal venues
Ajax Cape Town vs Supersport United at Kimberley Stadium (Saturday November 19)
Jomo Cosmos vs Orlando Pirates at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, Rustenburg (Sunday November 20)