Chippa push to play in City
Fans could see Celtic clash in EL in December
EAST London fans could see some PSL action if Chippa United’s bid to play against Bloemfontein Celtic in Buffalo City on December 18 meets with approval.
The game was scheduled to take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium but Chippa feel the need to spread their wings and take the game to the entire Eastern Cape.
To do that though, they will need the PSL to approve Buffalo City Stadium as a suitable venue to host the match next month.
The Chilli Boys came in for some criticism last season as they never fulfilled their promise of spreading their home matches around the Eastern Cape.
“The reason we have decided to move our game against Bloemfontein Celtic to East London is to promote tourism between the two cities.
“We want to be a strictly Eastern Cape club which is recognised by all people of the Eastern Cape. We have the support of the Buffalo City Municipality,” said Chippa’s chief operations officer Lukhanyo Mzinzi.
Mzinzi said the cost of hosting all their PSL games in Port Elizabeth was crippling so it made sense to move some of them.
The Chilli Boys do not incur costs by playing at the stadium but they have to pay for services such as security, cleanings staff, ambulances, catering and entertainment on match day which Mzinzi says drains their pockets.
“The costs can add up to a hundred and something thousand at times. Our deal with Buffalo City is for us just to play; they take care of everything.
“Our job is just to go there and play football which is what Chippa United wants to focus on and that is one of the reasons why we moved from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape.”
“We believe we are going to play many of our games there (EL). Our contract with the city (NMB) allows us to take only five games out of the city. This will be our first of many home games outside of PE.”
Buffalo City Stadium can hold 12 000 spectators and Mzinzi expects the stadium to be packed.
“We have engaged with Bloem Celtic about the change of venue. They welcomed the change and said they would accommodate us.
“We are busy with the PSL now but it is not yet approved because they need to do a final check on the stadium.”
Access Management, who operate NMB Stadium, declined to comment.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality spokesperson Mthubanzi Mniki said the municipality was aware of Chippa’s plan.
“As part of our arrangement with Chippa United they are meant to play some of their home games in EL and we are aware of that. This is part of a broader plan for the development of soccer in the Eastern Cape. Chippa United is an EC team.”
PSL media liaison Luxolo September said: “The PSL must first visit Buffalo City Stadium for further inspection. For now, that stadium is not approved by the league. We sent Buffalo City a number of things they need to do before we can approve that stadium.”