The City of Cape Town is pulling out all stops to welcome some 23 000 football fans on Sunday 22 April at the Athlone Stadium when Santos takes on Kaizer Chiefs in the Absa Premiership Cup.

The match this weekend is a make or break battle for Santos to avoid relegation in the Premier League.

“Cape Town is privileged to host two matches with two Soweto giants in one week. Next week Ajax Cape Town takes on Orlando Pirates at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday 27 April. We are expecting a capacity crowd at Athlone Stadium for Sunday’s match, which will serve as a curtain raiser for the Freedom Day clash,” says Cllr Grant Pascoe, Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Marketing.

“The Soweto giants have a significant following in Cape Town, and I would like to call on all Capetonians to support these two events and proudly display their colours.

 “I am also satisfied that all the relevant systems are in place to ensure that fans can watch the games in a safe and friendly environment,” says Cllr Pascoe.

Sunday’s spectators are advised to plan their trip to the Athlone Stadium in advance and to use public transport as far as possible. Safety and security will be at an optimal level and fans are asked to park in the designated parking areas.

“The City has arranged for the gates to open at 12:30 for the 15:00 kick-off. We call on all spectators to come early and be part of the excitement. Security staff will be deployed in and around the stadium. Anyone who is visibly intoxicated will be barred from the facility.

“We appeal to soccer fans to ensure that they sit in the correct seats to avoid any confusion. No knives, firearms, fireworks, glass bottles or alcohol will be allowed inside the stadium,” says Cllr Pascoe.

A limited number of tickets are available from Checkers or Computicket at  R40 and R50 each.  No tickets will be sold at the stadium.