MAHLATSE MPHAHLELE | Ramović is right, Danie Craven pitch was poor, posed danger to players

TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramović is correct, the state of the Stellenbosch Stadium pitch was poor and professional football should not have been played there. 

Not the one to mince his words, Ramović made his feelings known after his team’s 3-1 MTN8 quarterfinal defeat to Stellenbosch that the substandard pitch posed a danger to the players. And when he said that, one presumes he meant for both TS Galaxy and Stellenbosch players. 

It was not the first time Ramović caused a stir by calling a spade what it is and, as expected, his comments have been met with contrasting responses from football fans. Some of his outbursts include a public spat with former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena that has ended up in the courts, with TS Galaxy suing him for alleged defamatory comments. 

He also stole the headlines last season when he ventured into politics and spoke harshly against Israel over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and called for prayers for the suffering people of Palestine. 

Some have gone as far as saying Ramović complained about the Danie Craven surface because of sour grapes after losing to Stellenbosch, while others have defended him for speaking the truth.

I am one of those who agree with Ramović. I strongly believe he would have said the same thing even if Galaxy had won. Instead of him being ridiculed, I think it is for Stellenbosch and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to look into the matter and make sure the pitch is in pristine condition the next time the stadium hosts a match. 

It was a similar situation when Orlando Pirates beat SuperSport United on Saturday at Orlando Stadium. The pitch was far from being at its best, and there is some work needed to be done in Soweto. 

Even Pirates coach Jose Riveiro lamented the standard of the Orlando Stadium pitch, which didn't allow his team to be themselves.

We don’t know what we’re going to get from the Peter Mokaba and Lucas Moripe stadiums which will host MTN8 quarterfinal matches this weekend. Sekhukhune United will meet Cape Town City at Peter Mokaba on Saturday and Sundowns host Polokwane City at Lucas Moripe on Sunday.

Though I agree with Ramović, I disagree with him where he made a connection with the poor state of the Stellenbosch pitch to MTN increasing the competition’s prize money from R8m to R10m. 

That development is just a coincidence and has nothing to do with the pitch and Ramović had no business making the connection between the two. 

The coach should have directed his displeasure to Stellenbosch because it is the duty of the home team to ensure preparations for the match are done to a tee. 

Some of the blame has been sent in the direction of the PSL, and to its defence, the league finds itself in a difficult position because the stadium was in good condition when it was approved. 

The reality is the PSL cannot inspect pitches two or three days ahead of every match as this would have a negative impact on scheduling. The responsibility of ensuring good grounds rests with the clubs. 

What I would like to see is the PSL coming down hard on Stellenbosch and Pirates for the sub-par pitches for their matches during their victories over SuperSport United and TS Galaxy. 

This is normal practice in cricket, where the International Cricket Council usually issues demerit points for international venues that produce grounds that umpires report as unsuitable or dangerous for players.