Saturday’s much-anticipated Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the legendary FNB Stadium is facing a significant hurdle after it emerged that the pitch would not be in optimal shape, potentially hampering preparations for this iconic clash.
Throughout the current season, several PSL matches, especially those attracting full-capacity crowds, have been marred by complaints over inadequate playing surfaces.
Despite these growing concerns, the PSL has sidestepped accountability, often dismissing the issue by claiming they do not own the stadiums. Nonetheless, as the governing body of South African football, they are responsible for ensuring that all playing surfaces are fit for purpose.
They must set standards, conduct regular inspections, and, when necessary, provide guidance on how to maintain pitches to ensure they are safe and up to standard.
Over the weekend, Bertie Grobbelaar, managing director of Stadium Management South Africa, raised the unsettling issue that threatens the very fabric of the game: a sub-standard playing surface for Saturday’s Soweto Derby. He said the pitch would not be in its best condition for the clash.
“Unfortunately, and despite their best efforts, the pitch could not be brought back to its required standard and playing level. The stadium has a hybrid pitch system, called the GrassMaster Desso System. It was installed more than 12 years ago and has simply reached the end of its lifespan,” said Grobbelaar.
“This GrassMaster system, a combination of natural grass and synthetic fibres, helps strengthen the surface. Over time, those fibres, made of polypropylene, have become brittle and started to break down.”
The Soweto Derby deserves nothing less than a pristine playing surface, and the spotlight is now on how the two coaches will react and adapt their game plans.
The PSL stands at a critical juncture. Addressing these dismal conditions is no longer an option; it is an obligation. The stakes are high, and it is time for the league to take decisive action against clubs that do not oversee the work done at the venues they regularly lease.
The issue of inferior pitches has been discussed in the PSL for years, yet it seems little progress has been made. Lower-quality pitches are detrimental to the quality of football played, undermining the skill and talent that characterise the league.
As the highly anticipated Soweto Derby approaches, the stakes have risen — both for the teams competing and for the broader ethos of South African football. If the PSL wishes to uphold its reputation and the dignity of its game, it must take decisive action against unplayable pitches that only serve to short-change the beauty and spirit of football in this nation.
