Road to the Final Hits a Detour: Fans Face Travel Woes Ahead of Chiefs vs Pirates Showdown at Moses Mabhida
The stage is set for one of the most anticipated showdowns in South African football as Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates prepare to battle it out in the 2025 Nedbank Cup Final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 10 May 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 15:30. However, what should have been a smooth build-up to this epic encounter has instead turned into a logistical nightmare for thousands of fans.
Ticket Sales Chaos
Supporters of both Soweto giants were left disappointed earlier this week when ticket sales were abruptly halted on Monday, 5 May, due to a massive web traffic overload. Thousands of fans flooded online platforms and ticket outlets in a rush to secure their seats, resulting in system crashes and forcing vendors to pause all sales.
Many fans voiced their frustrations on social media, accusing organizers of poor planning and inadequate digital infrastructure to handle the demand. With the match now just days away, there are concerns that some supporters may miss the final altogether due to the limited ticket availability and failed transactions.
Road Closures Add to the Mayhem
To add fuel to the fire, travel plans for fans—particularly those coming from Gauteng—have been severely impacted by a major road closure on the N3 highway. The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) announced a full closure of the N3 National Road due to the scheduled demolition of the Ashburton Bridge.
The closure will begin on Friday, 9 May at 20:00 and continue until Sunday, 11 May at 05:00, affecting both northbound and southbound traffic. Full shutdowns will occur at the Linfield and Market Road interchanges, making the N3 completely inaccessible between Pietermaritzburg and Durban during the weekend of the final.
This comes as a devastating blow to fans who had planned to make the trip to KwaZulu-Natal from Gauteng overnight on Friday. Many supporters are now scrambling to make alternative arrangements, with limited options via air travel, rail, or detour routes.
A Bitter Pill to Swallow
The announcement from SANRAL was made on 16 April 2025, just three days after the final venue was confirmed. The timing has left fans questioning why these conflicting plans were not foreseen or coordinated earlier.
One fan expressed his frustration, saying, “We’ve been waiting all season for this final. Now, we can’t get tickets and we can’t drive to Durban either. It feels like we’re being kept out.”
A Classic With Complications
Despite the logistical setbacks, excitement remains high for the showdown between Chiefs and Pirates, who both delivered dramatic performances en route to the final. The match promises to be a thrilling affair, with bragging rights and silverware on the line.
However, unless urgent interventions or alternative transport solutions are provided, a significant number of fans could miss out on what should be a historic event.
Kickoff Details:
- Match: Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates
- Event: Nedbank Cup Final 2025
- Date: Saturday, 10 May 2025
- Time: 15:30
- Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban