Sifiso Biyela, chairman of Richards Bay FC, confirmed that the team will play their home games at the King Zwelithini Stadium once more next season.

Biyela, who recently secured a R100 million sponsorship deal with Phakwe Gas last Wednesday, admits he’s unaware of the progress on construction at the Umhlathuze Sports Ground in Richards Bay.

The PSL deemed the venue unsafe in 2021 when Bay was still competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Although they achieved promotion to the DStv Premiership in the 2021/22 season, Richards Bay only played one home game there before the league forced them to relocate their matches to King Zwelithini Stadium.

Biyela expressed his frustration at the situation, highlighting the financial burden of renting the alternative venue. “Unfortunately, we’re back to the same question,” he said. “I have no control over where we play.”

“I’d love to play in Richards Bay, but the stadium belongs to the municipality, not me. If they choose not to expedite construction, I can’t play there,” Biyela continued. “My backup plan is Umlazi, and I can tell you now, our first home game will be played there.”

The Phakwe Gas sponsorship, unfortunately, won’t be used to renovate the Umhlathuze Sports Ground as it’s municipal property.

Following the sponsorship deal, Phakwe CEO Thabiso Tenyane expressed his desire to see the club finish within the top four next season. He said they also plan to announce a new coach before the month’s end.

“While expectations are high, we need to be realistic,” Biyela acknowledged. “We’re a relatively new team in the DStv Premiership, only in our third season. We’re making progress, but the top eight is what we can promise.”

The sponsorship has undoubtedly placed pressure on coach Vusi Vilakazi, who secured the club’s safety through the promotion/relegation playoffs at the end of last season.

“This is not about Kanu, Kanu is part of us, there is no Richards Bay and Kanu,” he said. 

“So, it’s going to be a pressure to all of us. So, definitely there will be pressure for us to deliver, there will be expectations from you guys (the media), from our supporters, but I think we are equal to task.”