The definitive guide to watching Junior Boks at Athlone Stadium

The definitive information to watching the Junior Springboks play at Athlone Stadium, by a son of Athlone, RYAN ANGER.

For context, I grew up in Athlone, and my dad and mom nonetheless reside there. I nonetheless play sports activities in Kewtown, the place Athlone Stadium lives, and have been doing so for over three a long time. That is my ‘hood. Right here’s the most effective information you’ll discover to watching the Junior Boks within the World U20 Championship semi-final on Sunday.

1. Getting there
Sunday site visitors ought to make this pretty simple, however get there early to keep away from the congestion across the stadium. Ubers will drop you a brief stroll to the gate. Parking is proscribed and has been arrange off Hickory Avenue, behind the stadium. Getting out of there after Tuesday’s match sucked. Endurance is required.

Don’t park outdoors of the designated parking areas, particularly not in entrance of another person’s dwelling. Aunty Sharon will get guests on a Sunday afternoon. That’s their parking spot and has been for many years.

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2. Security
You’ll be high-quality.

Safety is, nevertheless, restricted, so be vigilant. It’s a brief stroll from the car parking zone to the doorway gate, and there must be loads of folks strolling to and from the stadium, so that you’ll have security in numbers. However don’t do silly shit, like get lost to take footage of your environment. Your “Discover my telephone” perform will, nicely, discover your telephone after it’s taken. Getting it again from the individuals who have it’s one other matter altogether. You received’t.

When you’re catching an Uber dwelling, achieve this from the stadium. Don’t stroll to Klipfontein Highway or anyplace else, particularly when you’re in a small group or alone. As a toddler, I didn’t take heed to my mom’s recommendation and walked to soccer observe alone. I miss these boots and that Liverpool jacket.

P.S. If a stranger with clear ill-intent asks you for the time, run. You don’t have to know the main points. Belief me and run.

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3. In-stadium expertise
There is no such thing as a reserved seating. When you’re a part of an enormous group, arrive early to safe a number of seats collectively. For some cause, they’re solely utilizing one stand. This will change for the semi-final.

It’s simple to entry the bogs and bars, however meals choices are restricted. So …

Eat earlier than you arrive, or higher but, let Athlone feed you. A gatsby is overrated. Get a full-house masala steak, egg, and cheese sandwich at Golden Dish as a substitute. Or go to Wembley Roadhouse for the double hotdog and chips. Wash it down with an avocado milkshake. Order some samoosas to eat whilst you wait (the cheese and corn is a private favorite).

The steak salomi at Miriam’s Kitchen in Crawford is a present from the culinary gods. The tikka hen stand on the nook of Repulse and Belgravia roads appears to be like dodgy, nevertheless it rocks.

Ahkni your factor? There’s a man that units up in School Highway in Rylands, reverse the mini-mall. For readability, there are two Ahkni guys subsequent to one another. The akhni on the left will disappoint you. The one on the fitting can have you driving from 30km away each Sunday to your repair.

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“The ATL” doesn’t cater to vegans. And asking for gluten-free something is a waste of your time.

There are many distributors to purchase a drink from contained in the stadium, however observe that you just’ll pay Camps Bay costs, regardless of being in Athlone. Come prepared for extortion.

4. Leaving
Clearing out from the stadium is straightforward. Exiting the car parking zone was a ache. Hopefully, they’ll streamline the method for the semi-final.

For a faster getaway, don’t use Klipfontein Highway. As an alternative, duck out through the “blocks” (sprawling blocks of flats) behind the stadium and see the place the apartheid authorities despatched some colored people after displacing them from their houses. Don’t say: “This isn’t so dangerous”. It’s.

It’ll be darkish whenever you go away and the potential for wild shit to occur will increase exponentially at evening. Transfer shortly, however be careful for the children enjoying soccer on the street.

5. While you get dwelling
Inform your family and friends that Athlone is epic.