Golden Arrows coach Mabhuti Khenyeza has spoken out about being abandoned by their own KZN people, backing the so-called big clubs from Johannesburg when playing in Durban.
Khenyeza said this when asked about being potentially watched by a big crowd during the Carling Knockout Cup double-header on Saturday. The Moses Mabhida Stadium will host the two quarter-finals with teams battling to secure the semi-final spots.
Orlando Pirates and Richards Bay FC will face off at 3:00 pm before the KZN derby between AmaZulu FC and Golden Arrows takes place at 7:00 pm.
The fans will have an opportunity to purchase one ticket at a fair price for full-day access. While the quarter-final tickets sell at R50, the double-header entry will cost R80.
A decent crowd is expected in the first match, however, it remains to be seen on the day whether the spectators will wait for the second tie. Khenyeza says they cannot force people to stay.
KHENYEZA ON POSSIBLE BIG CROWD IN THE CKO DOUBLE-HEADER
“I think it’s important [to be watched by a big crowd] but it depends on the person,” he said during the media open day on Tuesday.
“As we are standing right here [referring to the journalists], some are supporting the other colour, others supporting another one. You cannot force a person [to support you].
“That’s why I’m saying in this industry, one has a soft spot [for a certain club]. I mean you can’t force the supporters to stay [after the match between Orlando Pirates and Richards Bay FC]. It’s up to them to stay or leave.”
Khenyeza went on to recall what he witnessed during their previous game against Kaizer Chiefs at Mpumalanga Stadium. He says the majority of the same people [Hammarsdale] they took the games to, were booing them, supporting the visitors.
‘THEY SUPPORT PEOPLE FROM JOBURG’ – KHENYEZA ON KZN FANS
“The worse part, you look at our previous game, playing at home in Hammarsdale [against Kaizer Chiefs]. We take the game to the Hammarsdale people but still they support people from Joburg, sorry to say that,” he continued.
“When you come from Joburg, you’re always right. So, that’s how it is, we must understand that we can’t choose for people.
“They were booing our team while we took the game to them and you can see the majority of these people are not from Johannesburg coming to watch Chiefs. They are from KZN.
“Again you can’t choose for them. Us, we are not even aware of who’s watching us because we are used to not being watched. Sometimes, we play away games, it’s the bench and the players on the field, the opposition and their supporters.
“But we always manage to try and perform as much as we can.”
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