Why Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns might not be sold out

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns might not play in front of a sold-out stadium when they clash in the PSL on Wednesday evening.

Pirates will host Sundowns at the FNB Stadium and not their usual Orlando Stadium with both sides keen on three points that will boost their PSL title chances.

The match was moved to the 94,000-seater FNB from the 37,000-seater Orlando Stadium but by Wednesday morning, over 11,000 tickets were still not sold from the 60,000 that were made available.

Soweto Derby sold but not Pirates vs Downs

As per an update from Stadium Management South Africa at 9am on Wednesday, 48,757 had been sold but it appears that a number of tickets will not be sold.

According to prominent supporter Jwara-Bucs, there are a number of factors making a ticket sell out difficult. He says the match being played on a weekday, added to the fact that fans have already snapped up Soweto Derby tickets for the Kaizer Chiefs game set to be played on February 28, are contributing factors.

“For Pirates and Chiefs supporters, the derby is considered a fierce rivalry, it’s war, whereas our fixture against Sundowns is viewed as a significant revival,” Jwara told KickOff.

How FNB Stadium would have been filled

“However, I believe that if our match against Sundowns had been scheduled for a weekend, and the derby moved to March, the stadium would be full even today. However, having both major fixtures within one month has placed a financial strain on supporters, as there are other matches they must attend,” he further observed.

Pirates head into the match top of the table with 38 points from 16 matches, six ahead of Sundowns, who have played a match less and a win would take them nine clear although Miguel Cardoso’s men can narrow it to three and still have an extra game to play if they triumph.

The two sides have faced off thrice this season, all matches ending 1-1, two in the Nedbank Cup semi-final when Pirates won on post-match penalties.