Big crowds for Orbit raise compliance and security concerns

When the Premier Soccer League (PSL) approved the venue last year to host top-flight matches, the use of the open stands was prohibited due to rust and loose stands that needed repair. 

Yesterday, before the game, the stadium announcer tried to stop people from sitting, but to no avail. 

Makoye says now that nothing has happened, they will have to wait for Rustenburg Local Municipality to fix the open stands.

"We'll have to sit down with the Rustenburg Local Municipality. Even though they are saying we must not use the stadium, last night the structure showed that it's still useable. Maybe if they can paint the structure and add some rails for the supporters to go up because that is the advice we received from the PSL. 

"For now, we don't know because we don't own the stadium, we rely on the municipality." 

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Orbit still has some big home matches against Kaizer Chiefs next month and Orlando Pirates in May to come, and Makoye says, the other big challenge is that they cannot take these games to the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace since this venue is also undergoing maintenance.

The football-starved people of North West came out in huge numbers last night against Sundowns, and the stands were filled to the rafters, but for Orbit to continue drawing these crowds, they must survive relegation, and that is the number one priority for Makoye...

"The people of North West have been starving for professional football, and they deserve to see their teams play in Rustenburg. We are hoping that before we host Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates that something would happen because we really need the support in order for us to survive and stay in this league.

"We are also improving the local economy and Rustenburg as a whole."