Richards Bay To Host Kaizer Chiefs In Durban
Sportswire can report that Richards Bay will host Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium in a Betway Premiership clash on 26 August.
The Natal Rich Boys are moving the fixture to the 2010 FIFA World Cup venue after being informed by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) that their home ground, Umhlathuze Sports Ground, has been closed for four weeks due to a sandy surface.
Richards Bay chairman Sifiso Biyela expressed frustration to this publication, accusing the local municipality of failing to take venue maintenance seriously and casting doubt on whether the pitch will be ready within the four-week timeframe.
Full renovation work on the surface is scheduled to begin on Thursday, following newly promoted side Milford FC’s league match against Siwelele at the venue on Wednesday.
With Umhlathuze Sports Ground also serving as Milford FC’s home ground, the club will similarly need to secure an alternative venue for their upcoming home fixtures.
This is not the first time Richards Bay have been forced to move a high-profile fixture away from Umhlathuze. Last season, the club hosted Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in a Carling Knockout quarter-final due to safety and security concerns surrounding their primary home ground.
Bay also hosted Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the Carling Knockout quarter-final in the 2023/24 season, with the Natal Rich Boys pulling off a historic 0–0 (5–4 on penalties) upset.
The upcoming clash will mark the first match hosted at Moses Mabhida Stadium this season. Primary tenants AmaZulu are yet to feature at the venue as it undergoes extensive pitch rehabilitation and broader stadium refurbishments, which are expected to be completed next year.
Consequently, AmaZulu were forced to host Sekhukhune United at Chatsworth Stadium in last weekend’s MTN8 quarter-final, where they suffered a 4–3 defeat.
On Wednesday, Usuthu will face Orlando Pirates at Kings Park Stadium—located just adjacent to Moses Mabhida. Kings Park is the primary home of rugby franchise the Sharks, who hosted the All Blacks at the venue on Tuesday as part of the “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” tour.
