eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba has clarified that the municipality does not pay to host major Premier Soccer League (PSL) cup finals at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. This comes after the PSL announced the iconic venue will host the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns on October 10 at 6pm. The stadium has been chosen for the blockbuster event due to KwaZulu-Natal's popularity as a tourist destination.
According to Mayor Xaba, the municipality's popularity and tourism endowments, such as beaches, make it an attractive location for events. "People love Durban because of the electric atmosphere they find here," Xaba said. He added that the city will be ready to host the MTN8 final, including deploying law enforcement agencies to ensure a safe match.
The Moses Mabhida Stadium has hosted eight of the last 10 MTN8 finals, and Mayor Xaba attributes this to the city's appeal as a tourist destination. He stated that the municipality does not need to pay to host the event, except for spending money on maintaining its beaches and supporting tourist establishments.
eThekwini executive director of community services Vusi Mazibuko explained that the Moses Mabhida Stadium was not available for matches in the 2026-27 domestic season due to pitch maintenance work. However, the venue is now ready for the MTN8 final on October 10. Mazibuko added that the stadium management had a plan to host finals, which included ensuring the pitch was ready.
The stadium's unavailability for some matches led to King’s Park hosting some games that would have ordinarily been held at Moses Mabhida. Mazibuko stated that strategic decisions were taken to prepare for the announcement of the MTN8 final, including shifting some matches to ensure the pitch was ready.
Mayor Xaba believes that hosting the MTN8 final will be a launch pad for the city's festive season. He emphasized that the city is a tourism attraction of choice and that MTN knows it can market its brand well in Durban. The city's accommodation establishments and tourism endowments also make it an ideal location for the event.
The MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns is set to take place on October 10 at 6pm at Moses Mabhida Stadium. With the city's readiness and popularity as a tourist destination, the event is expected to be a success. The mayor's clarification on payment for hosting the event has also alleviated concerns about the city's financial involvement.
Key points
- The eThekwini municipality does not pay to host major Premier Soccer League cup finals at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
- KwaZulu-Natal's popularity as a tourist destination makes it an attractive location for events like the MTN8 final.
- The Moses Mabhida Stadium has hosted eight of the last 10 MTN8 finals.
