Soweto Derby: Chiefs vs Pirates – avoid these traffic routes

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has issued a traffic advisory ahead of the Nedbank Cup Semi-Final between soccer giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

The Soweto derby is expected to take place at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm.

JMPD’s Xolani Fihla said certain roads around the stadium will be blocked off ahead of the much-anticipated match.

Nasrec Road

A contraflow traffic management system will be implemented. This will be on both the northern and southern sides of the stadium, from Adcock Ingram Road to Recreation Road on the southern side of the stadium, and from the N17 traffic circle to Shaft 17 Road on the northern side of the stadium.

This will provide three traffic lanes toward the stadium before the match and three lanes away from the stadium after the match.

Soweto Highway

For the safety of pedestrians crossing the motorway, Soweto Highway will be closed off to traffic from 11 am between the N1 bridge and Mentz Street in Booysens.

Drop-off

The drop-off of spectators using public transport will be at the Transportation Hub on Landbou Road. E-hailing services will also transport spectators and drop them off at the Transportation Hub.

The Transportation Hub will be accessible using Rand Show Road, Golden Highway, Ring Road 2/Landbou Road (Exhibition Road and Nasrec 5 on Google Maps).

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General parking

General parking will be at the Johannesburg Expo Centre parking, Shareworld, and Kidneys (open space on the northern side of Soweto Highway).

Fihla said JMPD officers will be on duty from 11am to ensure the safety of pedestrians and other road users, enforce traffic regulations and assist with traffic flow before and after the match.

“Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to avoid traffic congestion. We also urge residents living around the FNB Stadium and Nasrec Precinct to be patient before, during, and after the match, especially after the match as we will be expecting traffic congestion, and this will make it difficult for them to either leave or return home.

“To avoid inconvenience, the public (non-spectators) should avoid the FNB Stadium precinct from 8am until 8pm on the day of the match,” Fihla added.

Alternative routes

Alternative routes are the N1 Highway, the M1 Highway, the N12 Highway, Main Reef Road, Aerodrome Road, and Adcock Ingram Road.

We are appealing to road users to acquaint themselves with the traffic management for the day so they can plan their routes accordingly,” Fihla added.

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