MTN8

‘Cup finals shouldn’t be played at neutral venues’ – CT City boss

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CT City chairman John Comitis

Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has issued a call to the PSL to rethink its process of deciding venues for cup finals ahead of the MTN8 final against SuperSport United in Durban.

The Citizens and Matsatsantsa do duty at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in a repeat final of the 2017 edition of the MTN8 which also took place at the same venue.

The Durban-based stadium has fast become the go-to destination for both Safa and the PSL for cup finals with the stadium having hosted an incredible 45% of local football finals, which equates to 11 out of a possible 24 finals.

Despite being happy with the choice of venue in terms of neutrality, Comitis is of the opinion that cup finals should be played at the home venue of one of the two teams participating in the final.

‘I’m happy with Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban for Saturday’s final because it’s the most neutral venue we can get for the two teams involved in the final,’ he told IOL.

‘Ultimately, though, I’d like to see cup finals in the PSL played at the venues of one of the two finalists, where the luck of the draw plays a role in who gets home advantage.

‘On Saturday, the final is in Durban, which means we are servicing football fans but not the supporters of the two clubs involved. Yes, there will be a small contingent travelling to Durban for the final, but that’s not ideal.

‘The two clubs have made the final, but their fans are not reaping the benefit of what they have achieved. By playing the match at one of the finalists’ venues, it means that at least one of the teams can use the occasion to build their brand. And, even if one of the finalists has to travel to the home base of the other, this is a cup final and a team needs no other motivation; so that’s not really an issue.

‘The question we have to ask, especially in the PSL where many of the clubs are struggling to build their clubs and their brands, is: are we mature enough a league for neutral venues? For example, imagine City had won the draw to play this final at home, I promise you, we would have been able to fill Cape Town Stadium to capacity. Now imagine what that would mean to us as a young club? I’m sure the same goes for SuperSport,’ he concluded.

Kick-off for Saturday’s clash is at 7pm.