A Justin Bieber concert has forced Kaizer Chiefs to move their home MTN8 semi-final fixture against AmaZulu on October 1 to Durban.
FARPost can confirm the game will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Ordinarily, Kaizer Chiefs would have used the FNB Stadium for their home game.
However, the stadium will not be available on the day. Bieber is bringing his much-anticipated Justice World Tour, which kicks off on 28 September at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, before coming to the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 1 October.
Stadium Management SA CEO Bertie Grobbelaar confirmed the unavailability of the facility, saying Big Concerts booked it before the MTN8 fixtures were out.
WHY FNB IS UNAVAILABLE FOR CHIEFS.
“Indeed, correct, we have signed a deal [with big concerts] for the concert on the 1st of October. At that time, the fixtures were not out. The stadium will not be available on the first of October,” Grobbelaar confirmed.
He added that they were ‘clutching’ at every opportunity to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced the closure of venues with public events banned for health reasons for almost two years.
“I know at one stage it was referred to as ‘Concert City’ [instead of Soccer City], and that’s definitely not the intention of Stadium Management. Our venue is primarily for football.
“But I think you will appreciate the fact that we clutching at every opportunity to recover from the devastating impact of Covid,” he said.
The development means Kaizer Chiefs will play both legs in Durban. The second leg of the MTN8 final is set for the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates clash in the other semi-final.
