Monster Jam Causes Soccer City Soweto Derby Nerves for Nedbank Cup Semifinal

• Concern has risen about two big events set to be hosted at the iconic Soccer City stadium south of Johannesburg
• The much-anticipated Monster Jam returns to the venue after a four-year wait, with the Nedbank Cup semifinal between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, set to take place there a week later
• This has led to questions about whether the pitch will be ready to host the football match, fears that have been allayed by organisers

Stadium Management SA has confirmed that FNB Stadium will be ready in time for the Nedbank Cup semifinal between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

This is despite Monster Jam taking place at the venue a weekend before (29 April). The Amakhosi and Buccaneers will meet there on the weekend of 06-07 May.

As per Sport24, the Monster Jam event will set a stage with manufactured sand ramps, including built-in steel ramps, across the pitch for their monster truck driving and racing, freestyle competitions and motocross action, including jaw-dropping stunts.

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SMSA managing director Bertie Grobler said on the website:

"We've got a schedule with them (Monster Jam) that they need to sign off on. They will occupy the pitch on the Thursday evening before the event (27 April) from around six o'clock. They will hand back the venue Sunday morning, six o'clock, without any sand... clear as it was prior to the event. So, they can occupy the pitch for 48 hours."

"We've already confirmed that with the club[Chiefs - home team]. [But] it's not been confirmed by the PSL (Premier Soccer League) that the fixture will be here. But this is the norm. The club will ask you to confirm venue availability, and then they will take it further with the PSL."

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About the match itself, Chiefs is currently confident when it comes to facing Pirates in any competition.

Chiefs players were seen celebrating being drawn against Pirates in the semifinals. Why shouldn't they be happy, as they have beaten their Soweto arch-rivals in five official matches on the bounce.

As per Sports Brief, the Amakhosi's football manager Bobby Motaung had a bullish reaction to the draw.