SAFA Ethekwini chairperson Kwenza Ngwenya has been left disappointed by the ugly scenes of guns being fired after the national ABC Motsepe League play-off semi-finals at Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday.
North-West representative Orbit College broke the hearts of the a crowd at Harry Gwala Stadium when they beat KwaZulu-Natal side Umsinga United 1-0 in the second semi-final of the play-offs to secure promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Soon after the final whistle, fans stormed the pitch and the chaotic scenes resulted in guns being fired, leading the crowd, players and technical staff to disperse for cover.
“We are extremely disappointed as much as we wanted them (Umsinga) to win,” Ngwenya told journalists afterwards.
“The win is what we wanted for the province by all means. But the behaviour of the fans, it is not something we like. Believe me or not, even themselves, they will rue this going forward.
“Going forward, safety measures will be tightened in the final on Sunday, and we will make sure about that. But I can assure you, there won’t be such problems.”
Ngwenya was not impressed at how people were allowed to enter the stadium with guns, adding: “But this shows that there is recklessness from the security side because the fact is these guns entered in various gates and guns are not allowed to the stadiums, unless you are a bodyguard of the mayors or other VIP people.”
Ngwenya said Umsinga will be charged for this behaviour by SAFA DC.
“We are going to charge the team to make a good example of them,” the SAFA NEC member added.
“They will face disciplinary actions from SAFA due to their behaviour.”
This might leave a traumatic effect on Orbit College players ahead of the final on Sunday, but Ngwenya said they will receive counselling.
“Since it is an off day on Saturday, we will ensure Orbit College gets counselling so that when they come on Sunday’s final they are sober minded,” he assured.
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While Umsinga lost to Orbit College, Upington City beat Mpheni Home Defenders in the other semi-final to set up an enticing final in the 2023 ABC Motsepe National Playoffs Final on Sunday, with prize money of up for grabs R1,200,000 for the winers, and R600,000 for the runners-up.
