Football legend Thierry Henry is set to arrive in South Africa to witness one of the country’s biggest football spectacles when Orlando Pirates take on Kaizer Chiefs in the highly anticipated Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 31 October.
The former Arsenal and France striker will join thousands of supporters at the sold-out stadium as the Premier Soccer League (PSL) celebrates 30 years of professional football in South Africa.
Henry’s visit was confirmed by Betway, the league’s title sponsor, which announced that the football icon will also meet supporters and present a prize to the winner of its S’bonise & Win campaign. Speaking about his upcoming visit, Henry said he was excited to experience the atmosphere of the Soweto Derby and meet the supporters who make the occasion special.
Meanwhile, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has placed supporter safety at the centre of preparations for Saturday’s fixture.
following an oversight visit to FNB Stadium on Monday, 26 October, McKenzie outlined measures aimed at improving crowd management, stadium access and the overall matchday experience. The minister highlighted the need for numbered seating, smoother entry and exit procedures, and better arrangements to prevent congestion and confrontations involving supporters.
He also confirmed that he had written to the South African Football Association (SAFA), the PSL and stadium management regarding the implementation of numbered seating.
Discussions with Johannesburg’s MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene, also resulted in a pilot arrangement allowing Rea Vaya and Gautrain buses to use the emergency lane to improve transport around the stadium.
McKenzie stressed that supporters’ lives must take priority over entertainment, referring to previous stadium tragedies in South Africa as a reminder of the importance of proper safety measures.
“People’s lives are more important than football. People’s lives are more important than entertainment,” he said.
Stadium Management South Africa has indicated that it intends to replicate the ticketing systems, personnel and technology used during the recent Springboks-All Blacks rugby match.
With approximately 90,000 spectators expected, supporters have been encouraged to arrive early and make use of public transport and park-and-ride facilities.
The highly anticipated encounter between the two Soweto giants will take place at FNB Stadium in Nasrec, with the focus extending beyond the football to the safety and experience of thousands of supporters.
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