The Polokwane Municipality has opened up on the factors behind the extended delay in getting the New Peter Mokaba Stadium ready to host Betway Premiership fixtures for the 2026/27 season.
The New Peter Mokaba Stadium is considered one of the best stadia in the country due to its quality pitch condition. It is also ranked third in Africa for its drainage system, behind only the Ibn Batouta Stadium and Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, both in Morocco.
However, the facility, home to Sekhukhune United, has been unable to host matches since a pitch rehabilitation during the off-season. This has resulted in Sekhukhune hosting their home matches at the Old Peter Mokaba and the Seshego stadiums.
MAJOR FIXTURES MOVE AWAY FROM NEW PETER MOKABA STADIUM
Kaizer Chiefs were also supposed to host their Betway Premiership match at the 2010 FIFA World Cup venue but were forced to move that game to the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto after the PSL had flagged the stadium as unready.
With the FIFA International break coming, the facility will only host a competitive match on 17 October when Sekhukhune host Marumo Gallants, pending the PSL’s approval.
WHAT DELAYED THE PITCH REHABILITATION AT THE 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP FACILITY?
Manager responsible for Sport and Recreation at the Polokwane Municipality, Mantlhakho Sebaka, has explained that the extended cold season played a major role in delaying the pitch rehabilitation.
“We need to concede that the weather was a bit uncomfortable for us to start and complete our project,” Sebaka told FARPost.
“Maybe we should start by saying the pitch that you can see is what we call winter ryegrass. It’s a pitch that gets done every second year, but we must also indicate that it’s the kind of pitch that you need to prepare for on time, and also depending on the weather, you would then be able to achieve your objective as such.
“So it’s in that line that in this season we ended up having a bit of a problem because of the nature of the extended winter months that we have had this year. So that’s why we ended up not being ready as a result of the delayed winter…,” he added.
“I must just state that, without any fear of contradiction, this pitch is more than the word ready. We can guarantee any match at any time, even if it’s tomorrow [Thursday].”
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