Soweto Derby: Will Orlando Pirates take Kaizer Chiefs to Durban in February for league clash? - KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport responds as Bucs register Moses Mabhida Stadium as alternative home ground

The Premier Soccer League clubs usually provide alternative grounds for their assigned competitive fixtures.

Orlando Pirates will host Kaizer Chiefs in the PSL's Soweto Derby on February 1 in the highly anticipated fixture. However, the game might not be played at the FNB Stadium.

In his recent interview with the media, Kwazulu-Natal Member of the Executive Council for Sport Mntomuhle Khawula hinted that the Sea Robbers might take the Soweto Derby to Durban.

Khawula says he will hold discussions with the Pirates chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza to utilise the Moses Mabhida Stadium just like Chiefs.

The Buccaneers have played 10 Cup finals at the venue and managed five MTN8 triumphs, the Carling Knockout, and the Nedbank Cup.

Apart from the Soweto Derby, Khawula hopes to see other teams capitalising on the facility.

"I can say that, as the MEC, I’ve visited all the professional KZN teams," he told SportsWire.

"I have also met with Orlando Pirates management, including Dr Irvin Khoza, and Kaizer Chiefs management, meeting Bobby Motaung as Kaizer Motaung was abroad. However, I haven’t met with Mamelodi Sundowns management.

"It’s encouraging to see that they’re using KwaZulu-Natal for their games. In fact, Orlando Pirates has registered Moses Mabhida as their alternative home ground, but they haven’t used it. 

"Kaizer Chiefs has registered it and is using it. I’ll be discussing this further with Dr Khoza, as he showed me the document confirming Moses Mabhida Stadium as Pirates’ home ground," Khawula continued.

When asked about the possibility of hosting the February Soweto Derby, the administrator did not want to explain further.

"I don’t want to go there, but Moses Mabhida Stadium is an alternative home ground for both Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs," Khawula concluded.

Pirates are literally flying in the Premier Soccer League this season having won their opening seven games in a row.

The Bucs' management will definitely want to make decisions that will work in the team's favour in their bid to end a decade-long PSL trophy drought.