Contrary to supporters’ expectations of a home game in Thohoyandou, the Nedbank Cup last-32 match between Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC (TTM) and Orlando Pirates will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday afternoon.
When justifying the move, the club president, Mr Masala Mulaudzi, said the decision to take the match to Durban was influenced by the fact that Vhembe is one of the districts that has been declared a natural disaster area because of the recent floods.
Mulaudzi also said he thought it would not be safe for football lovers to travel to Thohoyandou under the circumstances. He further stated that he had tried to move the match to Polokwane before taking it to Durban, but unfortunately the New Peter Mokaba Stadium was not available on that day.
Mulaudzi added that taking the match to Gauteng would mean forfeiting home-ground advantage to Orlando Pirates, as the latter is based in Orlando, Johannesburg. He said he was sorry for the inconvenience caused to supporters by the move, saying the situation was beyond his control.
As a way of sympathising with supporters, TTM has offered a special transport package to and from Moses Mabhida Stadium for only R100 per bus and R700 for a return flight. Meanwhile, TTM head coach Mr Lucky Nelukau vowed to give “The Buccaneers” a run for their money on Saturday. He said Orlando Pirates should ask Lamontville Golden Arrows and Chippa United, whom they had beaten on their way to lifting the Nedbank Cup trophy in 2021.
Nelukau added that underestimating Vhadau vha Damani on Saturday would be a suicidal mistake for Pirates. TTM’s recent track record, however, does not build confidence. The team had lost their last two league matches. They were walloped 5-0 by White Vultures at Thohoyandou Stadium two weeks ago and again lost 1-0 to Tzaneen United at Nkowankowa Stadium outside Tzaneen.