Soccer fans in Bloemfontein say they are eager to witness two teams battle it out in this year’s Carling Black Label Cup final at the Free State Stadium this evening.
The finals will see Magesi FC and Mamelodi Sundowns lock horns for the first time.
Local soccer lovers say such games help to stimulate the province’s economy.
Some fans say they would like to see soccer positively influencing the local youth and a win for PSL rookies Magesi FC.
“As people of Bloemfontein, we wish the best team to win. This game is going to empower our mothers and parents. The economy of the Free State is going to rise. So, we wish the best team to win,” says one of the fans.
“This type of a game, especially when brought to the city, it ignites the talent and it motivates these young boys and girls to say that I want to be in that particular sport. And it’s one of the things that we need to bring that kind of activity,” says another fan.
“I support Magesi, they have my full support,” says another.
Magesi FC are still new in the PSL calendar after recent promotion to the senior league. They made their intentions clear when they knocked out Orlando Pirates last month on their way to the finals.
Carling Knockout Cup | Mamelodi Sundowns face Magesi FC in final:
Earlier this week, Mngqithi urged the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to avoid scheduling Knockout Cup finals immediately after the FIFA International break.
Downs, who have the most players in Bafana Bafana squad and players representing other nations, will play Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout final, just three days after a demanding international window.
Mamelodi Sundowns fans were hoping their players would be rested for Bafana Bafana’s final Afcon qualifier against South Sudan on Tuesday, especially with an eye on Saturday’s Carling Knockout final against Magesi FC in Bloemfontein. But that was not the case.
Eight Downs players represented South Africa against South Sudan in a dead rubber. And six of them didn’t train with the team on Wednesday as it prepared for the Carling Knockout final.
While Mngqithi didn’t blame the PSL scheduling a cup final immediately after the international window, he says it should not be repeated in future.
“In future, it would be important just to try and avoid a cup final or cup matches immediately after the FIFA break because it causes unnecessary commotion, but the PSL in this case didn’t know Sundowns would be in the final. We cannot blame them, but I am just saying in future … anyone who would be in the final and having lots of players in the national team,” says Mngqithi.
Mngqithi also didn’t blame Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos for fielding the Downs players against South Sudan. Instead, he says he would also have selected his best players for the match and praised the Belgian mentor for turning the fortunes of Bafana around.
“We’ve reached a stage where we can be confident and brag about our national team because they are really giving the nation what it would have required. They are scoring goals, they are winning matches convincingly. Personally, I am very excited with what coach Broos is doing. He has proven many people wrong,” says Mngqithi.
The Mangaung Metro says the city is ready to welcome the two teams and supporters to witness another soccer spectacle.
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