PSL To Announce Host City After Open Bidding Process On Thursday

Sportswire can confirm that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Nedbank will reveal the venue for the Nedbank Cup final this Thursday.

In a strategic move, both bodies will allow cities across the country to bid for the right to host the showpiece event.

Once all bids are submitted, the PSL and Nedbank will evaluate the proposals to determine the most viable deal for the final.

Durban City booked their place in the Nedbank Cup final after defeating giant killers Casric Stars 1-0 at Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday.

Stars captain Sphamandla Mlilo scored an own goal in the seventh minute while attempting to clear Terrence Mashego’s cross.

City will now await the winner between TS Galaxy and Milford FC, who face off in the other semi-final at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Sunday.

With the traditional “big three” — Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns — all eliminated in earlier rounds, the PSL and Nedbank Cup organisers may face challenges in selecting a host city for the final.

This will also mark the first time since 2021 that the Nedbank Cup is won by a team outside Pirates, Sundowns and Chiefs, who are the defending champions.

City chairman Farook Kadodia, whose club has reached the final for the second time — the first being in the 2017/18 season when they lost to Free State Stars in Cape Town, when it was known as Maritzburg United — was asked where he would prefer the final to be held.

“When we played in Cape Town, the reality was that, for some strange reason, I don’t know why the success of a Durban team always comes with challenges,” he said.

“We were in Cape Town and drew a crowd of 27,000. I’m surprised people don’t even remember that, because we did activations there and built support — including 20 buses from Pietermaritzburg.

“In saying all that, I will comment on the venue after Sunday’s result. If TS Galaxy reach the final, PSL rules should apply [that it must be played at a neutral venue] — we can’t have it in KZN or Mpumalanga.

“If Milford are in the final, the teams should meet with the PSL, present the available options, and reach an agreement.”

Kadodia added: “All we need to do is make the PSL proud. But more importantly, we want the province to recognise what we have done for football, especially in our first season.

“Please come to the party and recognise us. We are not here to play in Durban and then move elsewhere.

“We have been in football for 24 years and have sustained this club without selling the franchise.

“All we are asking is recognition for the work done by this team — the directors, administrators and technical staff. It is important that every team, whoever they are, gets a pat on the back.

“Let’s finish the season strongly, lift the cup — which would be a great honour after so many years in football — and, more importantly, secure a good position on the log.”