Tight security for Soweto derby
Tight security for Soweto derby

Posted in News on Dec 04, 2002.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) is leaving nothing to chance ahead of the biggest match in the SA soccer calendar - Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs - at FNB Stadium on Saturday and have made special security arrangements for the game.



Following crowd trouble at the Coca-Cola Cup final between Chiefs and Jomo Cosmos last Saturday, the league along with the two clubs were forced to revise security logistics for this game.



Yusuf Thika is the man who handles SA Football Association (Safa) matches during the African Nations Cup qualifiers and the PSL has called for his services during the big Soweto derby and he appeared confident as he laid down his plan for this match.



"The plan entails turning people (security personnel) into a cohesive team. That’s the first part of the call," he said.



"The second part is to make sure that all aspects are taken care of very effectively, which means access into the stadium, once people are inside the stadium we manage their movement within the stadia, and thirdly to make sure that the pitch is safe. Finally, to make sure that the people egress out of the stadium safely."



The PSL security has constantly been criticised for slack approach in dealing with the safety of the supporters at the stadiums. At times the very same men who are supposed to ensure the safety of supporters are often found with their back to the supporters and enjoying the game.



The security logistics at the Coke Cup final were anything but adequate and effective with most of the personnel nowhere near the crowd and it was for this reason that they were unable to control the rioting soccer hooligans.



But Thika believes his men will be able to do a lot better this time around. "Our emphasis, based on what happened the past weekend, will be based on what happens inside the pavilion itself," he said.



Around 1500 security personnel and police will be deployed at the stadium but Thika said the number was not the issue. "It's not a case of numbers but how these numbers are utilised," he said.



A dry run will be conducted at the stadium on Thursday and Friday. No bottles or metal cans will be allowed inside the stadium on match day.



"Coming so close after last Saturday, security is obviously our concern," said PSL chief executive Trevor Phillips. "But we have staged many Chiefs and Pirates games and I think this game is an opportunity more than anything else for the fans to show the world what SA supporters are about... lots of noise, lots of colour, outrageous dress and lots of soul."



"I am happy that we have done the best we can with the resources available to us and the reality of the infrastructure that we are faced with. I am sure we have done our best."



Tickets will be available at Computicket selling for R20.

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