Moses Mabhida Stadium will stage the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns on 10 October, despite claims that bribes are being paid to secure major matches for the Durban venue.
eThekwini Municipality city manager Musa Mbhele rejected the allegations, insisting the stadium’s regular selection is based on Durban’s appeal as an event and tourism destination.
The match will kick off at 18:00 and will be the 11th MTN8 final held at Moses Mabhida Stadium since MTN became the competition’s sponsor.
It is also the eighth final at the venue in the past 10 editions of the tournament.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Mbhele said MTN understood the commercial value of taking its events to Durban. He argued that the city’s popularity, facilities and atmosphere made it a natural choice rather than the result of any financial inducement.
Mbhele said Durban regularly attracted visitors, particularly when high-profile events were held there, and that supporters would want to attend the meeting between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns on 10 October.
“I may sound arrogant but it’s the only way I can put it, we’re not so desperate to boost tourism to such an extent that we can do unethical things like that (bribing),” said Mbhele.
He added that Durban was already an established destination for tourists and did not need to pay for the right to host football finals.
“We are a big, if not one of the biggest tourist destinations. People think of coming to come to Durban when there’s an event of like the one of the 10th of October,” he said.
“We do not pay to host these matches. People love Durban because of the electric atmosphere here. We are the destination of choice.”
Mbhele also pointed to the city’s size, accommodation options and beaches as reasons why MTN’s brand could benefit from staging the final there.
“MTN themselves know that their brand will do well because we’re one of the largest metros. Accommodation establishments are there, beaches and other things,” he added.
