- Well known Kaizer Chiefs fans, Freddie 'Saddam' Maake and Masilo Machaka, are joined by Dejan Miladinovic of Orlando Pirates as they remember the Ellis Park disaster
- 43 people perished at the match involving Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Ellis Park Stadium 20 years ago and the fans speak out
- The incident happened on April 11 in 2001 in a Soweto Derby match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at Ellis Park Stadium
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As the South African football fraternity remembers the Ellis Park disaster that took place 20 years ago, Briefly News speaks to fans to commemorate the fateful day.
It was a league game between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs on April 11 2001 where 43 fans lost their lives in what was described as a stampede.
Amakhosi grabbed an early lead through Tony Illodigwe but the Buccaneers pulled one back courtesy of Benedict Vilakazi, just after the goal, things fell apart in what was the most tragic scene in Mzansi football.
Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, Chiefs famous supporter Freddie 'Saddam' Maake, Pirates’ Dejan Miladinovic, and Machaka Masilo of Amakhosi still remember the day as if it was yesterday.
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/netstorage-briefly.akamaized.net/images/523e3b48c9534ddd.jpg)
According to the Buccaneers supporter, Miladinovic recounts his side of the story, saying he will never forget that incident. Miladinovic told Briefly News:
“It was very sad to experience that disaster. I am from Berea in Johannesburg and very close to the stadium, I was surprised to see so many fans.“I expected a fantastic game because I didn’t know what was going to happen. That was a tragic moment for our football and I was shocked to see some of them with no tickets. I also remember that Ellis Park was made to carry 50 000 fans but I could tell there were 100 000 inside already.“I was surprised and I remember I was sitting behind the Pirates goals, we were separated back in the day. The atmosphere was good and the first goal by Chiefs gave us hope that we will come back and we managed to score through Vilakazi.“I saw after the goal that the stampede was happening. It was very sad and I decided to go to the field and it was sad to see the stands getting empty and the bodies lying there on the field. “I also got calls from my friends and some saw me on television. I think Putco did a good job using his microphone. He was very calm and smart on that day. I cannot forget that for the rest of my life.”Machaka joined in on the conversation and also reminisced on the day that engulfed South African football. He told Briefly News:
“It was a bad day and when we approach the 11th of April, we all know that was a sad day. We don’t expect to lose our lives or get injured when we go to the games. “However, that game didn’t go well after Vilakazi’s goal. That thing happened on our side as Chiefs fans. Pirates were on the north side and we lost our fans – it was painful.“That tragedy will always be part of our football. It was my first time seeing that as I have been attending games. What pains me the most is that there’s nothing done on the 11th of April to remember these heroes.“These were the breadwinners, family members and parents. They died for these two clubs and it’s sad. I think there should be something done to remember them.“You can tell the families are not over this tragedy but we as the supporters have to be united and see to it how can we commemorate that day. It’s 20 years now but we can’t forget it.![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/netstorage-briefly.akamaized.net/images/d07e6999bdfd2740.jpg)
This website reported that on 11 April 2001, the country witnessed its most horrific sports accident to date. According to South Africa History Online, 250 were injured as fans stormed an already overcrowded stadium during a match between the two South African rivals.
Briefly News gathered 43 people were trampled to death during the stampede, 29 of whom died on the scene while a further 14 passed away later as a result of injuries sustained during the incident.
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