Chippa United are to play a first game at East London’s Buffalo City Stadium after the venue was approved by the Premier Soccer League.
It is a return to the city for Chippa United, who had previously hosted home matches between the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha and Siza Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, on the outskirts of East London.
“I'm honoured to announce that after seven years, the Buffalo City Stadium has been given the green light by the PSL to welcome professional football matches once again. This significant milestone goes beyond just bringing football back; it's about reviving a space that caters to various sports, a place that holds cherished memories for rugby fans and sports enthusiasts alike,” said Chippa chairman Siviwe Mpengesi in a statement.
Chippa will play their December 23 fixture against Polokwane City at the venue, moving it from Gqeberha.
“We invite all sports lover from the Transkei region and all over Eastern Cape to join us in this momentous occasion. We extend our sincere gratitude to Prof. Ronald Schloss from the Premier Soccer League for conducting a thorough inspection of the Buffalo City Stadium's field. His expertise and guidance have been invaluable in ensuring that our facilities meet the PSL's high standards. As of now, the stadium is approved to host day games. We are actively working on upgrading our floodlighting system, and once this is finalised, we will be equipped to host evening matches as well,” added Mpengesi.
“I've always believed in tackling challenges head-on and striving for the pinnacle of excellence. I'm excited to share news that heralds a new era for us - a time to blaze a trail into the future. As we move forward, our promise to remain the pride of the Eastern Cape is stronger than ever,” he said.
The Buffalo City Stadium, previously known as the Basil Kenyon Stadium, was last used actively for professional soccer when Umtata Bush Bucks moved from the Transkei capital to East London but they were relegated 20 years ago.