Downs to use Loftus to reel in the crowds

27 September 2011 - 02:27 By Mazola Molefe
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Franklin Cale outjumps a bemused Ruben Cloete during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at Orlando Stadium last week. Sundowns have shifted their home base from Lucas Moripe stadium to Loftus Picture: GALLO IMAGES
Franklin Cale outjumps a bemused Ruben Cloete during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at Orlando Stadium last week. Sundowns have shifted their home base from Lucas Moripe stadium to Loftus Picture: GALLO IMAGES

Mamelodi Sundowns have moved their next four Absa Premiership home matches to Loftus so they can maximise their support for the remainder of the year - starting with tonight's encounter against Bloem Celtic.

Sundowns will also host Black Leopards (October 30), Maritzburg United (November 20) and the big one against Kaizer Chiefs (December 4) at the fortress of the Blue Bulls rugby team.

Ticket prices will remain a standard R40 for all league clashes.

Sundowns hope to attract a bigger crowd than they have at Lucas Moripe stadium in their three league games there this season.

Loftus, a 2010 World Cup venue that hosted 6 matches, can accommodate 42800, while Lucas Moripe holds only 28900 fans.

Sundown's season opener against Amazulu, a goalless draw, attracted the club's highest attendance in a league match this season with 14000.

Their second league match was a 4-0 win against Moroka Swallows on a Wednesday night, and only 8000 supporters turned up.

The club's recent 3-2 defeat to Ajax Cape Town pulled in the lowest numbers, with 6000 attending.

"Loftus is more central to most of our fans from Mamelodi, Ga-Rankuwa and Atteridgeville," said club spokesman Alex Shakoane.

"We have had decent crowds in Atteridgeville [Lucas Moripe] this season, but we know we can do better.

"If Loftus works for our supporters then we could keep it for the remainder of the season as our home venue."

Sundowns might be on to something by moving their home ground before the end of the year.

Their MTN8 second-leg semifinal clash against Orlando Pirates - played at Loftus - attracted 45000 to the venue.

The Premier League allows each club to use a World Cup stadium if they wish to do so during the season.

Chiefs use two: Soccer City and Peter Mokaba in Polokwane - their preferred World Cup venue.

Wits have chosen Nelspruit's Mbombela stadium as they have an agreement with the town's municipality. Jomo Cosmos will also take some of their home matches to the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, Celtic coach Clinton Larsen is eager to face another South African soccer giant tonight and was disappointed that his side could only manage a point at the Seisa Ramabodu stadium against Amakhosi on Saturday.

"A win is necessary against Sundowns even though we are on the road," said Larsen.

"But given our record last season, we can still collect maximum points away to stay in the Top 8."

Celtic are eighth on the league table following two wins, two draws and two defeats.

"Sundowns have more quality than they did last season and they also have one of our guys [Hlompho Kekana] who has added some defensive steel."

In the other fixture tonight, Amazulu host Ajax Cape Town at Moses Mabhida stadium.

Both games kick off at 7.30pm.

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