It is all systems go for the Orange CAF Champions League match between Kaizer Chiefs FC and Mozambican team, Liga Muculmana, scheduled for Saturday, 01 March 2014 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium at 19H00.
Both teams have arrived in the City and are raring to battle it out on the field. All logistical preparations have been put in place to ensure that all who attend the game are able to do so in a safe and hassle-free environment. Parking will be available at the Old Drive-Inn site, Mustering Fields, Kingspark pool and Suncoast Casino. Motorists can also leave their vehicles at the Durban train station and board a train to the stadium. Gates will open at 16h00.
EThekwini Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo, said that the City was very excited to be hosting a game of this magnitude, where Kaizer Chiefs is not only representing their fans, but South Africa as a whole. “We call on all South Africans to come out in numbers to show patriotism and support the team as they fly the South African flag high.” He added that Moses Mabhida Stadium is home away from home for Kaizer Chiefs as they have a strong support base in the City and are always welcomed with open arms whenever they play in our shores. Nxumalo urged soccer-lovers to arrive early at the stadium, so as to avoid traffic congestion.
Kaizer Chiefs Head Coach Stuart Baxter said, that the team is happy to be playing the first round of the first lag of the tournament in Durban. “The people are always good for the Club in Durban and Moses Mabhida Stadium is very nice and I think the players are quite comfortable to play there. We are looking good on the players’ front; George Lebese picked up a knock that we are monitoring. This game is part of a bigger picture. The schedule is hectic and everybody is available for selection, which is good. We also had a few training sessions this week which has been good for our preparations. The fact that we know little about the opponents Liga Desportiva Muçulmana de Maputo has no effect to do our preparations against them.”
Captain Itumeleng Khune said, “The mood is very high in the camp. We played a draw away from home which was not desired in terms of giving the other teams some confidence when they come up against us. It is very important to win at home. Durban has been a good host for us, we always do well at Moses Mabhida Stadium. We are expecting a good turnout on Saturday. We hope the supporters will do as usual and come in their numbers to be part of the African Dream.”
The selected squad to play on Saturday includes; Reyaad Pieterse; Willard Katsande; Erick Mathoho; Lucky Baloyi; Siboniso Gaxa; Reneilwe Letsholonyane; Kingston Nkhatha; Siyabonga Nkosi; Knowledge Musona; Itumeleng Khune; George Maluleka; Siphiwe Tshabalala; Brilliant Khuzwayo; George Lebese; Kgotso Moleko; Morgan Gould; Mathew Rusike; Mandla Masango; Tefu Mashamaite; Peter Masilela; Bernard Parker; Lorenzo Gordinho; Philani Cele; Simphiwe Mtsweni; Ivan Bukenya.
To drum up support for Amakhosi, there will be various activations around the City between today and tomorrow. The Kaizer Chiefs fan clubs will be at Umlazi Mega City today, 28 February 2014, between 12H00-17H00. Another team will be at Bridge City and will move to The Workshop precinct later in the day. The Kaizer Chiefs Supporters Club and Retail Store will be operating in the stadium precinct where the supporters will be able to purchase their authentic merchandise and apply and renew their Club Memberships. The Amakhosi will also be handing out the free Kaizer Chiefs Mobile Starter Packs, which you can RICA on the spot. This will enable the users to have exclusive access to Club content and stand a chance to win prizes in the monthly draw
Tickets are still on sale at R60 (east and west lower tier) and R50 (all other areas). They are available at all computicket outlets, Checkers and Shoprite Checkers.
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