Non-compliance of two stadiums, Kaizer Sebothelo in Botshabelo and Dr RP Molemela in Bloemfontein under the Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM), to host a crucial Nedbank Cup last-32 group match sparked outrage over neglect to maintain facilities. The match is between the ABC Motsepe League campaigning clubs Botshabelo-based D’ General and Limpopo-based Madridtas FC.
The Kaizer Sebothelo in Botshabelo and Dr RP Molemela in Bloemfontein were found not compliant following an inspection conducted by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) a week ago.
D’ General earmarked the stadiums to host the important cup game, with the stadium in Botshabelo as first choice given its home-ground advantage, and Dr Molemela as an alternative. With both stadiums declared unsuitable, D’ General was faced with forfeiting the right to play the cup match in the Free State, and having to play in Johannesburg.
Upon ruling both stadiums as unsuitable to host the cup outing, the PSL reportedly informed D’ General’s management of the alternative decision to have the match played in Johannesburg, further informing the team that travelling and accommodation expenses would have to be paid by the club.
The club’s management was dismayed by the news, maintaining the Mangaung Metro was to ensure compliance of the stadiums in line with the standard set out by the PSL for hosting matches of this magnitude.
It emerged a last-ditch intervention by the MMM saw the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein secured as host for the cup fixture on 25 February, much to the relief of D’ General.
News of non-compliance of both stadium comes despite the announcement on 18 January that D’ General would host Madridtas when the draw was conducted. The winner thereof automatically progresses to the last-16 group stage of the lucrative tournament.
Nyakallo Leine, co-director of D’ General, bitterly lamented on social media platforms his disappointment upon the PSL informing them to have the cup fixture played in Johannesburg.
“It was too costly for us to play away a cup fixture originally planned for Mangaung because both stadiums were found not compliant.
“I was overly concerned having such an important match not staged in the Free State because it deprived not only the club but football fraternity in the province.
“We are happy to play anywhere in the Free State but not outside our province,” said Leine, a radio personality well-known by his stage name Ba2cada.
He further lamented the club could not afford the R195 000 to secure the Toyota Stadium, which is utilises by the Free State Cheetahs.
Qondile Khedama, spokesperson for the Maungaung Metro, confirmed that both stadiums were still under management of the municipality.
“We are responsible for maintaining and repairing the facilities. The city was unaware that the PSL was at the stadium. Normally when they visit the stadium, they must meet with city officials to express their concerns. However, the city was aware of the compliance matters that needed to be addressed because they had previously been discussed with the chairman of D’ General, and work was already underway to address these concerns. The claim is baseless,” said Khedama.
According to Khedama, contractors to do maintenance were deployed to the stadium, adding that 90% of the concerns have been resolved.
