eThekwini’s city manager has rejected suggestions that bribes explain why Moses Mabhida Stadium keeps landing the MTN8 final, as Pirates and Sundowns prepare to meet there on 10 October.
Moses Mabhida Stadium is set to stage yet another MTN8 final, and the city says there is nothing shady behind it.
Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will meet at the Durban venue on Saturday, 10 October, with kick-off at 18:00. By one count, it will be the stadium’s eighth MTN8 final in the last ten editions. By another, it is the 11th since MTN took over as sponsors.
The city responds
Speaking to the media on Thursday, eThekwini Municipality City Manager Musa Mbhele dismissed claims that Durban pays to attract cup finals. He admitted he might sound arrogant, but said the city is not so desperate to boost tourism that it would do anything unethical, such as bribing.
Mbhele’s argument is that Durban sells itself. He described it as one of the biggest tourist destinations in the country, with a reputation for an electric atmosphere. Fans want to travel to the city for big occasions like the Pirates and Sundowns final, and the accommodation, beaches and other attractions are already there.
He added that MTN, as a sponsor, knows its brand does well when events are taken to one of the largest metros in the country.
Is Durban the natural home of the MTN8 final, or should other cities get a turn? Are you travelling to the match? Tell us in the comments.
