From barman to Bloem's best foot forward: FS Stadium to get 'Test-match treatment' for final

In Mangaung

The Free State Stadium will be hosting its fifth professional-era Currie Cup final on Saturday when the Cheetahs host the Pumas and, understandably, maintenance and facilities manager Moyisi Bacela is a bundle of nerves.

It will be a first for Bacela in this position and, with the Central Franchise having nothing else, sporting-wise, to look forward to for the rest of the year, he has to get it right.

The City of Roses, which hosted the Proteas in two ODIs earlier this year, only has the Cheetahs as a professional sporting entity these days after the Knights' relegation from Cricket South Africa's first division first-class set-up, while Bloemfontein Celtic's sale to Royal AM left the Judicial capital without a football tenant.

Marumo Gallants brought a few football games to Mangaung, but they too have been relegated from the DStv Premiership, while Kaizer Chiefs have taken their matches elsewhere.

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Bacela, who was born in Sterkspruit but grew up in Bloemfontein where he completed his high school education at Brebner High, worked his way up from being a casual barman at the ground to his current position via stints in retail and the banking sector.

He joined the union six years ago where he moved into stock controlling and, later, maintenance and cleaning.

"This is my first one in this position. When the last two finals came here, I was working in a different position here," Bacela told News24 at the Free State Stadium offices on Thursday afternoon.

"It's very special for me, especially having worked in the different positions, and I'm still hands-on in the other ones from a preparation perspective.

"It means a