Orbit College GM Matome Kganakga has announced their crucial season finale against Orlando Pirates will not be played at Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng Stadium as originally planned, due to renovations that are under way at the 2010 World Cup venue.
Contacted on Tuesday morning, Kganakga said the club would release a statement during the course of the day to confirm a new venue for the May 23 fixture, where Pirates are likely to be crowned Betway Premiership champions for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
“I am going to issue a statement for the team today, but we will not play Pirates at Royal Bafokeng. We will confirm the venue today,” Kganakga told Sowetan.
“Royal Bafokeng isn’t ready to host games; they set their timeline for stadium readiness in June.”
Orbit did release their statement around midday.
“Orbit College FC wishes to inform its supporters, stakeholders, members of the media, and the football community the Betway Premiership fixture against Orlando Pirates will no longer be played at Royal Bafokeng Stadium,” it read.
“This follows confirmation from the stadium’s management the facility will remain unavailable until June 30.
“The club is in the process of securing an alternative compliant venue capable of hosting a fixture of this magnitude. A final confirmation regarding the venue will be communicated by Friday.”
Sowetan has gathered Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, where Orbit faced Kaizer Chiefs on April 6, is being touted as a venue for the Orbit-Pirates game.
However, videos shared on social media have shown some major damage to that ground’s roof and possibly elsewhere caused by the recent raging storms in the Eastern Cape, which might be a stumbling block to that plan.
Orbit’s primary home venue, Olympia Park in Rustenburg, also poses a critical security and compliance risk for big matches, as was seen when “Mswenko Boys” hosted Mamelodi Sundowns there in March.
At Olympia Park, open stands are prohibited from being occupied due to rust and loose stands that need repairs. When Orbit hosted Downs, it was reported some fans gained free entry.
With Pirates fans eager to witness their club win what would be their first league title in 14 years, it won’t be a surprise some of them had already booked accommodation in Rustenburg.
Emile Smith, the acting MD of Royal Bafokeng Sports, was not immediately reached for comment.