Steve Barker cries foul over PSL stadium issue for Chiefs clash
Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has cried foul regarding the PSL’s handling of stadium arrangements for their upcoming Nedbank Cup quarterfinal against Kaizer Chiefs.
His primary grievance revolves around the team’s unsuccessful attempts to secure a home venue in the Western Cape, leaving them facing an unwanted away game.
This follows after Stellies are set to host Amakhosi at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the Eastern Cape for the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal match on Saturday, 8 March 2025.
Stellenbosch had obtained the use of Athlone Stadium in Cape Town for Sunday, 9 March, for the game, but their request to play the match on this date was rejected because the club was set to play a Betway Premiership fixture against Orlando Pirates on Tuesday, 11 March 2025, at the same venue.
As per FIFA regulations, there must be a gap of two complete days between games. Therefore, Stellenbosch asked to move their league match by one day to Wednesday, 12 March 2025, to enable the club to host the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal at their venue. Nevertheless, both the PSL and Orlando Pirates denied their request
Meanwhile, the Athlone Stadium is unavailable on March 7th and 8th for the Nedbank Cup match because of a rugby tournament at the stadium, while the DHL Stadium is set to host the Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo that weekend.
The club’s home ground, Danie Craven Stadium, with a capacity of 16 000, is still off-limits due to past security issues related to the match between Stellenbosch and Chiefs.
WHAT STEVE BARKER SAID ABOUT PLAYING THEIR HOME GAMES AWAY FROM HOME
Barker expressed his disappointment regarding the PSL’s inability to reschedule their league game to allow for the cup match to be held in front of home fans in the Western Cape.
The coach was speaking after their 1-1 draw with Polokwane City FC in a Betway Premiership tie at Danie Craven Stadium on Friday night.
“Look, number one, I need to make it clear that it is very disappointing that we can’t play a quarterfinal of the Nedbank Cup fixture in front of our home fans,” said Barker.
“This is not good for us as a team or a club. It is also not good for our fans. So, it is disappointing. Obviously, the first disappointment is that it is not for the first time, and it doesn’t seem it is going to be the last time that there won’t be a stadium available for matches.
“So, it is disappointing to believe that a solution has to be somehow found going forward. It’s just not conducive to continue, and not even playing in your own province and denying your fans their privilege to watch their favorite team play.”
Barker continued: “Secondly, the other disappointment for me is that the league [PSL] did not find a way to accommodate the league fixture on Sunday. I don’t know what more they could have done, but I just feel that it should have been on the other foot; maybe it could have been different.”
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