Diski Stadiums with the best vibe

It's been five seasons since the coveted MultiChoice Diski Challenge graced the scenes of South African Football, and over that period there’s been an overwhelming response to Kasi Activations all over the country. With the access to stadiums for match-day festivals channelled through the issuing of free-tickets – normally Thursday and Friday – the supporters’ attendance has gradually increased as communities are eager to go out in numbers and support their own. Below, we look at three venues that have hosted the Diski matches to the tee in the past three seasons.

MAKHULONG STADIUM – TEMBISA

Based in the East Rand in Johannesburg, Makhulong Stadium is the home to the football fanatics of Ekurhuleni Municipality. However, in the last three years it’s been a profound host for the Diski matches – hosting the 2017/2018 Diski Challenge penultimate round, where Golden Arrows won their second league title in three seasons. Add to the fact that, Makhulong was back in the scheme of things later in the season, hosting the inaugural final of the Diski Shield as Kaizer Chiefs trounced rivals Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1. However, the communities of Ekurhuleni and its surrounding were treated to another spectacle last season, with four teams SuperSport United, Polokwane City, Cape Town City and Bloemfontein Celtic taking the Diski Challenge to the wire. However, it was the former that grabbed their maiden Diski Challenge crown, beating Chiefs 3-1 to bag a 10-day all expenses paid-for trip to the UK.

KING ZWELITHINI STADIUM – UMLAZI

Home to the famous AmaZulu Football Club, King Zwelithini Stadium has brought the Diski matches to the people of Umlazi township and outskirts of Durban CBD. Mid-way through the 2017/2018 season, it hosted six Derby Festivals – Cape Town City v Ajax Cape Town (Ikapa Derby), Mamelodi Sundowns v SuperSport United (Tshwane Derby), Golden Arrows v AmaZulu (KZN Derby), Polokwane City v Baroka (Limpopo Derby), Bloemfontein Celtic v Free State Stars (Free State Derby) and Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs (Soweto Derby). However, with Arrows clinching the Diski title in the penultimate round in Gauteng, coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi’s troops sealed the deal in front of their hime supporters at a sold-out King Zwelithini Stadium. Last year, moreover, people of Umlazi and surrounding were in for another treat as Abafana Bes’thdende defeated Sundowns 2-1 to win the second edition of the Diski Shield – their third trophy in four seasons.

SINABA STADIUM – DAVEYTON

After the Diski Challenge moved from the Nike Centre following the completion of the first season, Sinaba Stadium was one of the venues that took over the reins during the start of the second term. However, it's significantly still fresh on the minds of Sundowns’ reserves as they used it when they were crowned the 2016/2017 season Diski Challenge champions, bagging an international trip to Netherlands. However, its recently contribution was hosting the last festival in 2017.

Meanwhile, while the old stadiums will continue to serve the newly expanded Diski season, there were some new venues that were introduced to the fold last term. Below, we look at the impact those stadiums had:

PRINCE MANGOSUTHU STADIUM – ULUNDI

After match-day 13 of thrilling football during the 2018/2019 season, all roads led to Ulundu as Prince Mangosuthu Stadium hosted the penultimate festival of the season. However, while some teams took the field of play with nothing to lose as their fate was already decided, Cape Town City exited with their title aspirations dented having been defeated 2-0 by Kaizer Chiefs.

KANYAMAZANE STADIUM – KANYAMAZANE

Situated in the township of KaNyamazane in Nelspruit, the 15 000-seater hosted last season’s Diski Shield semifinal. Neighbours SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns served as the curtain raiser as they squared off in the first semifinals of the day. It was, however, the latter that walked away with a slender 1-0 victory to book their spot in their second successive final. From thereon, the main attraction was served by Group A winners Orlando Pirates and Group D winners Golden in the last semifinals. Arrows’ showed their dominance from outset, easily dispatching Mandla Qhogi’s makeshift team by 2-0 to meet Sundowns in the final on May 12.

THOHOYANDOU STADIUM – THOHOYANDOU

Known for hosting football lovers from Venda to the rafters, Thohoyandou Stadium is the home of Premier division side Black Leopards. However, sometime in March it served a different kettle of fish, hosting the Diski Shield for the first time. A number of intents appeared to be served during the festival, as Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Polokwane City and Orlando Pirates pulled off some famous victories. However, it was only the former and latter that made the knockout stage.