Benni on return of fans: ‘Why only 2000?’
AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy has questioned why authorities will only allow 2000 fans into their Group B Champions League encounter against Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday night.
While he welcomed the move to have fans backing Usuthu for the crunch tie, McCarthy expressed concern about the number of fans.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi sang the same tune last weekend after his troops beat Al Ahly 1-0 in front of 2000 fans in Soweto, insinuating the limited number of fans allowed at stadiums is a plan to increase pay-TV subscriptions.
READ MORE: https://farpost.co.za/mngqithi-on-fan-stadium-ban-were-cheating-ourselves/
Benni said the importance of fans inside stadiums could not be belittled, with the atmosphere for the players being virtual.
“Why 2000? The rest of the world had been in full swing for one year. We party, we go out, clubbing. People are smoking and having full-on sex, but there are still no fans in the stadium,” said McCarthy.
The government amended regulation 69 of the Disaster Management Act, which only permits at least 2,000 fans at outdoor sporting events.
McCarthy has called on the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to open stadiums for fans.
“I’m just over the moon. I’m so happy for the fans because I think they deserve it. They’ve been extremely patient to get to football matches,” added McCarthy.
“That is going to be exceptionally nice, seeing people, and I don’t know how I’m going to be handling someone shouting ‘hey, wena voetsek man’.
“We’re just happy to have the Usuthu fans back at the stadium, and it will also give the players a morale booster because they want to show their talent to the fans. At the moment, we entertain empty seats.
“The players just want to showcase their talent and show the people what they are all about, have the fans cheering for them. I’m looking forward to that,” concluded AmaZulu tactician.
The KwaZulu-Natal outfit are third in their group on six points with two matches remaining. Benni will be gunning for a win to keep their chances of reaching the knockout stages.