The Polokwane Municipality has addressed concerns and reassured football supporters that work is underway to rehabilitate parts of the damaged New Peter Mokaba Stadium following a recent ANC political rally.
The New Peter Mokaba Stadium is one of the venues that delayed hosting Premier Soccer League [PSL] matches this season due to the winter weather conditions that slowed down the pitch rehabilitation process.
Following the rehabilitation process, the pitch, which is regarded as one of the best in Africa, looked proper and ready to host professional matches.
This is after it was cleared to host PSL matches three months after the 2026/27 Betway Premiership match had kicked off.
Besides being home to Sekhukhune United, the facility also played host to the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final match between Kaizer Chiefs and Siwelele FC this past Sunday. However, the facility also hosted a political rally organised by the African National Congress [ANC] on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
POLOKWANE MUNICIPALITY ALLAYS FEARS OVER NEW PETER MOKABA STADIUM PLAYING SURFACE
After the ANC event, there has been visible damage on the 18-yard area, right up to the goalpost, that looks like a regression from the rehabilitation work done.
However, the Municipality’s manager for Sports and Recreation, Mantlako Sebaka, has allayed fears that there could be more damage at the facility, adding that the PSL has already given the thumbs up for them to continue hosting matches.
“No, of course not. I don’t think the impact is that much to stop football from playing, and like you’ve seen yesterday [Sunday],” Sebaka told FARPost.
“So you would notice that the only damage is on the 18-yard area, right up to the goalpost or the goal mouth itself. However, we are putting together plans to rectify that before the Lesotho match on 17 November.”
Sebaka was referring to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] qualifier match between Lesotho and Gabon that is set to take place at the venue on Tuesday, 17 November 2026.
HOW WILL MUNICIPALITY PROTECT SENSITIVE PITCH DURING UPCOMING MUSIC FESTIVAL?
The venue is also set to have a musical festival in December when local artist Makhadzi hosts her annual One Woman Show. With the previous event having caused substantial damage to the pitch, Sebaka says they have put in measures this time around to protect the sensitive pitch.
“Well, it is likely to cause a bit of damage because, like we’ve always said, and we really don’t have to hide this, the pitch is sensitive,” declared Sebaka.
“That’s the first thing. If you spill a cool drink there, it will die. If you spill anything salty there, it will die. So, if you put something or you put a lot of pressure on it for over a period of five days, wherever you put pressure, it will eventually die.
“So, it’s something that is not easily resuscitated. However, we are putting together plans. First of all, you’ll notice that when you cover the pitch completely, you end up seeing the results. I mean, the damage is not that much. We have already started looking at ways of just rejuvenating it. By the end of this week, we should be happy with the progress.
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