Highlands will not be moved

Highlands Park chairman Brad Kaftel yesterday described Tembisa’s Mukholong Stadium as “more than a home from home”.

Kaftel was reacting to a rumour that the reborn Lions of the North are in the process of switching their home ground to another venue.

“There is no truth to this move,” said Kaftel, “But it shocks me that it has even been suggested in view of the successful relationship we have established with the Tembisa municipality and population generally. We have even set up our offices at the improved Mukhulong Stadium,” added the Highlands chairman, “and are receiving good crowds well above the PSL average. So why on earth should we move”?

Kaftel said the unfounded story might have arisen over the desire of Highlands to play all their home games against the PSL’s top three crowd drawcards, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the Mukhulong Stadium.

“The ground caters for approximately 10 000 spectators,” added the Highlands’ chairman, “and because we can expect capacity crowds and more for these matches the PSL have asked us to introduce certain additional security arrangements on these occasions.

“As for the rest, playing in Tembisa has been like an ideal marriage, with our thoughts only focused on easing out of the relegation zone and in time challenging for the kind of top honours the club achieved in the past.”

In this respect, Highlands are down to play Cape Town City in Cape Town when the Premier League programme resumes next week.

Kaftel says that after extensive team-building improvements during the PSL’s mid-season break, Highlands believe they can get off on the right foot on Tuesday night.

As for the rest, playing in Tembisa has been like an ideal marriage. Brad Kaftel Highlands Park chairman