Richards Bay FC chairman Jomo Biyela has provided the latest update on when the club could return to its original home venue Umhlathuze Sports Complex.
The Richards Bay-based club has been hosting home games at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban since their promotion to the DStv Premiership last season.
The Natal Rich Boyz moved to Umlazi when their venue couldn’t meet the Premier Soccer League standards. According to the reports, the local municipality injected more than R200 million into a project to renovate the stadium.
According to the Richards Bay owner, Biyela, the venue could be ready to stage PSL games in December or after AFCON which will take place between January and February next year.
RICHARDS BAY FC CHAIRMAN JOMO BIYELA GIVES UPDATE ON UMHLATHUZE SPORTS COMPLEX
“Well, we know that by December [the stadium will be ready to host football],” Biyela told Ukhozi FM.
“But what makes us happy is that in January we won’t be playing since there’s AFCON. So, it gives us more time to prepare ourselves to play at the stadium after that time.
“It’s about seven games that will be home [in the second round].
“Another important thing is as much as we’re comfortable here in Umlazi but the reality is we’re no different to people who are playing away every week.
“There are people who don’t afford to come [from Richards Bay to Umlazi]. Also the sense of belonging in the place where people identify themselves with the team, it can change everything we wanted to happen when we formed this team.”
Biyela added that they’re no different from a team that plays away when they play at the King Zwelithini Stadium.
He says this has dug deep in their pockets and believes they will cut lots of expenses when they return home.
‘IT HAS COST US A LOT’ – BIYELA ON PLAYING IN DURBAN
“Well it has cost us a lot because you’re having a look, we stay in Richards Bay and we train in Empangeni,” he added.
“So, most of the time we play on Saturday. We arrive on Friday morning and play on Saturday and leave after the game.
“It’s like an away club. Everything is an expense including stadiums costs because we don’t have a formal relationship with Durban. We’re not from there.
“If we were home, we would be able to cut all these expenses.”
RELATED STORY: Richards Bay FC coach Tembo makes honest future admission
