South African Police Service (SAPS) has appealed to fans to behave themselves ahead of the MTN8 semi-final second leg at the Moses Mabhida Stadium between AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs at 15:30.
Threats are brewing on social media platforms that fans will invade the pitch if Chiefs can’t beat Usuthu in the Wafa Wafa semi.
The game at the moment is locked at 1-1 after the first leg’s result, which favours Usuthu who scored a goal away at FNB Stadium earlier this month.
This means Chiefs, to avoid disappointing their fans, have to score and win the game or get a scoring draw.
If they don’t, then there are fears that fans will storm the pitch to express their frustrations as the club has not won a major trophy since 2015.
Amakhosi also suffered two setbacks in the league, losing to Chippa United last weekend and drawing with TS Galaxy midweek.
However, fans have been warned by the SAPS to behave themselves in an orderly fashion or else there will be consequences.
“Just like any other event, police will be deployed to monitor the match. Police will be deployed inside and outside the soccer field. We are appealing to the fans to behave themselves and enjoy the game,” said KZN SAPS lieutenant colonel Nqobile Gwala to iDiski Times.
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When Chiefs lost the Nedbank Cup semi-final to Free State Stars on 21 April 2018, fans stormed the pitch to torch the stadium, damaging SuperSport TV equipment and vandalising cars in the parking lots.
Then Durban mayor Zandile Gumede was forced to issue a statement, saying the estimated damage amounted to R2.6 million.
That led to Chiefs then-coach Steve Komphela’s resignation, which was announced by football manager Bobby Motaung at the press conference, saying it was the best decision for the safety of the coach at that time.
Also, fans stormed to the pitch at Peter Mokaba Stadium after Orlando Pirates crushed Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 on Saturday. However, nothing bad was reported as they were celebrating the victory.
Pirates will now await the winner of today’s game, with the final set to take place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 5 November.
MTN8: AmaZulu & Kaizer Chiefs Confirm Line-Ups
