As the 2024 Nedbank Cup final approaches, fans heading to Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Pretoria, should be aware of specific road closures and traffic advisories.
Roads to avoid near Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, 1 June 2024
On the day of the final, several roads around Mbombela Stadium will experience closures and traffic disruptions. To ensure a smooth journey, avoid the following roads:
- Bafana Bafana Road: This main artery leading to the stadium will be closed to regular traffic. Only vehicles with proper accreditation will be allowed.
- Mbombela Street: Another crucial road, Mbombela Street, will also be closed to ensure the safety and smooth flow of traffic for event-goers.
In preparation for the large crowd, early bird parking will be available at the stadium until 12:00. After this time, a soft closure of roads leading into the stadium will be implemented.
For those arriving later, park-and-ride facilities will be operational from 11:00 onwards from various locations, including:
- Lowveld High School
- Valencia Park Sports Grounds
- Hoërskool Nelspruit
- Mbombela Showgrounds
- Hoërskool Bergvlam
- Riverside Mall
- Government Complex
- Fresh Produce Market on the Sabie Road
These park-and-ride locations will charge R50 for secure parking.
2024 Nedbank Cup final: Here’s what to expect
The 2024 Nedbank Cup final promises to be an exciting showdown between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
The match will kick off at 15:00, with gates opening as early as 11:00 to accommodate the influx of fans.
Team Form and History
Mamelodi Sundowns, despite their dominant form throughout the season, have shown some vulnerability towards the end of the DStv Premiership campaign, going winless in their last two matches.
They suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat at home against Cape Town City in their final league game, dashing their hopes of an unbeaten season.
Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, have also had a mixed end to their league campaign with two defeats and a draw in their last three fixtures.
However, their cup experience could prove invaluable in this final, having previously defeated Sundowns in the MTN8 final earlier this season on penalties.
Key Players to Watch
- Mamelodi Sundowns: Themba Zwane – Known for his experience and big-match temperament, Zwane will be crucial in navigating Sundowns’ attack.
- Orlando Pirates: Tshegofatso Mabasa – The DStv Premiership Golden Boot winner is in top form and will be a significant threat to Sundowns’ defence.
Head-to-Head
Recent encounters between these two teams have been closely contested. In their last five cup ties, Pirates and Sundowns have each had their moments of triumph, with the most recent MTN8 final ending in a penalty shootout victory for Pirates.
Fans are advised to arrive early and make use of park-and-ride facilities to avoid delays.
