Amakhosi’s Durban venue irks AmaZulu
Usuthu feel metro undermines them
eThekwini municipality has denied that AmaZulu had approached them about their dissatisfaction arising from the Durban metro’s three-year partnership with Kaizer Chiefs.
The collaboration between eThekwini and Chiefs has seen Amakhosi play some of their home matches at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, their 1-0 loss to Polokwane City last week being their latest home match at the venue.
While AmaZulu spokesperson Brilliant Mkhathini insists the municipality knew about their discontent, the stadium’s general manager and head of sports division at eThekwini municipality, Vusi Mazibuko, says AmaZulu never interacted with them to complain about the partnership with Chiefs.
“We are not aware of AmaZulu’s unhappiness, and this has not been brought to our attention by the club’s management,” Mazibuko said.
“The partnership is for three years. We do not pay them [Chiefs] to play at Moses Mabhida Stadium, however, we have signed a commercially mutual agreement.”
AmaZulu are using the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi.
Mkhathini has implied that the eThekwini metro underestimates local clubs.
“Our understanding is that a home team is by virtue of a city where they reside. They treat us differently compared to Chiefs,” Mkhathini said.
“Their partnership with Chiefs has been happening for some time. We have tried to engage with them but nothing has given.”