The protracted guessing game is over with the much-anticipated announcement by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) on Tuesday that the Telkom Knockout final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday December 1 will be staged at Loftus Versfeld.
Last week, South African Broadcasting Corporation TV trumpeted the information that the final would be staged at Durban’s King’s Park — and, with speculation rife, venues including Ellis Park, Kimberley Stadium, Potchefstroom’s Olën Park, the Bloemfontein Rugby Stadium and Newlands in Cape Town were at different times suggested as the most appropriate venue.
But after a PSL meeting that included the competing teams and the sponsors, consensus was reached for the crowd-pulling clash to go to Pretoria — ”and that is where it will be decided whether Sundowns or Chiefs make off with the tournament’s lucrative R4,25-million winners’ prize”, announced PSL general manager Andrew Dipela.
”The teams and the sponsor were party to the negotiations,” added Dipela, ”and everyone emerged happy with the decision. Both finalists are currently using Loftus as a home venue and no advantage will therefore accrue to either of the teams.”
But in a bizarre turn of events, the PSL announced a mere two hours later that Dipela had gone on ”voluntary leave” after complaints of sexual harassment had been laid at his door by members of the league’s staff.
Dipela is the second high-profile PSL personality to face this stark allegation in the past two weeks.
Sundowns PRO Alex Shakoane, known as Mr Goldfingers, faces similar charges — and has been placed on suspension by the Brazilians’ administration pending a full investigation into the affair. — Sapa