I really liked what I saw in Cape Town on Saturday night.
And I’m not talking about the on-field antics from Cape Town City and Orlando Pirates.
No, I mean what I saw in the stands at Cape Town Stadium.
It was quite an impressive crowd for Cape Town and it wasn’t, as you expect when the big boys come to town, all Pirates fans in the stands.
There is a real hype building around the Citizens and it was wonderful to see the stands full of blue and gold for the big game.
The match was one of the most exciting we have seen so far this season.
But then the Citizens have had us entertained much from the get-go of their maiden campaign.
It helps that the football is exciting and that Eric Tinkler’s men are winning, that’s always brought the fans out.
Remember in 2011 when Ajax Cape Town went close to winning the league on the final day?
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a crowd like that for a PSL game here with a Cape side at home (not any of the Chiefs matches last season).
If there was any doubt, John Comitis has reminded us that he knows football.
The club snapbacks [that’s caps if you don’t know] are a hit and so is the other merchandise.
So people are buying into the brand because it looks lekker and then they also become tied to the team in a way.
Comitis has also made sure the club’s social media is on point so all of that just adds to the gees on matchday.
Most importantly, though. the team is doing the business on the pitch.
Lebogang Manyama continues to shine, his 86th minute strike looked like another match winner.
Sadly for them, former Ajax Cape Town boy Riyaad Norodien scored a late equaliser and then sealed it with a kiss.
But it just shows the mindset in the City camp that they are disappointed with a draw against one of SA’s big three.
The only downside to all of this is that although Kaizer Chiefs are now top of the table, the real challengers like Wits, SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns have three, two and six games in hand respectively.
So City have work to do.