PSM Makassar’s 1-0 victory over Cong An Ha Noi in Wednesday’s 2024/25 ASEAN Club Championship semifinal first leg was more than just a crucial win—it marked the club’s first international match in Sulawesi in 20 years, making it a historic moment for both the Juku Eja and their supporters.
The last time PSM hosted an international opponent on Sulawesi soil was in the 2005 AFC Champions League, when they faced Chinese side Shandong Luneng (now Shandong Taishan). That match saw Shandong edge out a 1-0 victory at Makassar’s Andi Mattalatta Stadium.
Since then, PSM endured a turbulent period, while the Andi Mattalatta Stadium gradually fell below the rising infrastructure standards of the Indonesian league.
By the time PSM clinched the 2018/19 Piala Indonesia—their first title in 19 years—the Andi Mattalatta Stadium had fallen into such disrepair that the Juku Eja were forced to play their 2019 AFC Cup matches at Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong, where attendance barely reached a few hundred at best.
The issue persisted into the 2020 season, during which the Andi Mattalatta Stadium was literally reduced to a grazing ground for cattle and a makeshift fishing pond for nearby villagers during the prolonged pause in Indonesian football caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, PSM played their continental matches that season in Jakarta, at Madya Stadium, where attendance—much like in Pakansari—was limited to just a few hundred spectators.
Recognizing the need for a modern stadium, the Makassar city government demolished the Andi Mattalatta in 2020, with Barombong Stadium designated as PSM’s new home. However, a corruption case stalled its completion, and the existing structure was built with substandard materials, raising serious safety concerns.
With this in mind, PSM relocated to the Gelora BJ Habibie Stadium in Parepare, about 155 km and a three-hour drive from Makassar. While the stadium met domestic competition standards, it fell short of AFC requirements, forcing PSM to host their international matches outside Sulawesi. For the 2022 AFC Cup, they played their home games at Bali United’s Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium.
It was at Gelora BJ Habibie that PSM secured the 2022/23 Liga 1 Indonesia title, their first league championship in 23 years.
Following the Kanjuruhan Stadium disaster in late 2022, PSM was forced to relocate once again, playing their home matches for the 2023/24 Liga 1 Indonesia season at Batakan Stadium in Balikpapan. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Gelora BJ Habibie Stadium underwent extensive renovations to meet the elevated safety and infrastructure standards set by the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). Upgrades included lighting, player and official facilities, seating, and general safety infrastructure.
In the first half of the 2024/25 season, PSM continued to use Batakan Stadium for both Liga 1 and ASEAN Club Championship matches—except for their final group stage fixture in the latter, where they hosted Vietnam’s Dong A Thanh Hoa at Kapten I Wayan Dipta. While these games drew some spectators, attendances remained in the low hundreds, resulting in a rather subdued atmosphere.
Everything changed in March 2024, when Gelora BJ Habibie was finally cleared to host domestic matches again. PSM immediately returned, and since then, Liga 1 fixtures at the venue have regularly drawn strong crowds, restoring the vibrant home atmosphere they had long missed.
That passion came to a roaring peak during their ASEAN Club Championship semifinal clash against Cong An Ha Noi. Over 7,000 fans packed the stadium, creating a raucous, emotional setting as PSM battled for a long-overdue international homecoming. A dramatic late goal from captain Yuran Fernandes sealed a 1-0 win, sending the crowd into jubilation.
As the final whistle blew, it wasn’t just the result being celebrated—it was a symbolic victory. After two decades of instability, relocation, and playing in front of sparse crowds far from home, Sulawesi had once again become the stage for PSM’s international ambitions. For the Juku Eja and their loyal fans, it was a triumphant reminder of their resilience and the power of home.