Richards Bay have apologised to their supporters after confirming on Thursday that they will again be unable to use their home ground at uMhlathuze Sports Stadium.
After winning promotion last season, Richards Bay had to host all their home games at the Chatsworth Stadium in Durban while the local King Cetshwayo District municipality promised to renovate the venue to bring it up to DStv Premiership standings.
But work has not been done, according to the club, who are now set for a second season of a nomadic existence.
“Richards Bay Football Club would like to assure its supporters and public at large about the commitment to play all the home games for the 2023/24 season but unfortunately the uMhlathuze Sports Stadium is not ready to host us,” said a club statement.
“We understand the importance of playing all our home matches at the stadium as it will ensure that our supporters get to watch the club at the stadium, also the tourism and Economic spin off it will have for the district.
“As the club we sincerely apologise to the supporters and the public. uMhlathuze Sports Stadium was our preferred venue as indicated in the fixtures published by the Premier Soccer League. We hope that the Stadium will be completed so that we can return home. The Club would also like to assure the supporters that the club is still based in Richards Bay and trains at eMpangeni High School as we regard ourselves as a King Cetshwayo District Club,” it added.
Richards Bay made a wonder start to their debut season and were in second place in the DStv Premiership standings at the turn of the year but then had a horror run and did not win any of their last 15 games of the season, finishing narrowly above the relegation places.
The club have since appointed former SuperSport United and Sekhukhune United coach Kaitano Tembo in charge and begin their new campaign at SuperSport next weekend.