The beautiful sight of a pavilion of the Dr RP Molemela Stadium being fully packed for the ABC Motsepe League fixture between Bloemfontein Celtic and D’ General on Sunday, 18 February, unfortunately also held potential for a stampede.
A large crowd, estimated at 10 500 supporters, descended on the 20 000-seater stadium to watch the clubs battling it out.
Scores of enthusiastic football fans snapped entering the stadium to watch Bloemfontein Celtic and D’ General on Sunday.
The prospect of a stampede involving elated supporters loomed after the game, with multitudes of people on foot and in vehicles compelled to use only the one gate for exit or entrance, instead of both gates. The other gate was closed despite people struggling to move out. For a moment, movement came to a standstill at the exit gate.
This was when one motorist tried to drive through a crowd leaving the stadium, ending up stuck in front of the gate – with another vehicle leaving, in the opposite direction.
Queues of vehicles had been parked outside the stadium, and vehicles on both sides of the road were snaking more than 200 m down Tsekeletse Street and adjacent streets.
However, no violence erupted during the scenario.
Entrance was free for supporters to watch the crucial match between the two clubs, which are fighting to win stream A to qualify for the championship play-offs of this league in the Free State later this year. The supporters did not disappoint, and turning up in numbers provided thrills and excitement.
