Chippa United switch Sundowns fixture to Buffalo City Stadium after PSL approval

Chippa United will host African champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Buffalo City Stadium in KuGompo City on Saturday after the Premier Soccer League approved the club’s request to change the venue.

The fixture had originally been scheduled for Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, but the ground was not ready following pitch work carried out during pre-season. Chippa submitted its application to move the match on Monday, with the PSL confirming its approval on Tuesday.

Buffalo City Stadium has also undergone recent maintenance, but it was cleared for use by the PSL in late August. The 15,000-capacity venue staged its first match of the season last weekend, when Chippa were held to a goalless draw by Milford in the league.

Saturday’s fixture will be the second time Mamelodi Sundowns have played at the KuGompo City stadium in the past 24 months. Their previous visit came in May 2025, when the match went ahead successfully despite concerns that the venue might struggle to accommodate the expected crowd.

Mamelodi Sundowns won that game and confirmed themselves as champions of the 2024/2025 league season.

Chippa have made a difficult start to the current campaign and sit in the bottom half of the table after recording four draws and one defeat from their five matches.

Head coach Brandon Truter urged his players to raise their performance for the visit of Sundowns, while the club called on supporters across the Eastern Cape to attend in large numbers.

“This is an opportunity to witness elite football on home soil and to create the atmosphere our players deserve,” Chippa said on Tuesday.

“We call on our supporters and football lovers across the Eastern Cape to come out in numbers, purchase their tickets and get behind the team as we welcome one of the continent’s biggest clubs.”

Kick-off is scheduled for 17:00, with tickets priced at R100.

The venue change means Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will no longer stage Saturday’s high-profile match. However, the stadium’s acting manager, Danville Bush, said the Gqeberha ground would be ready to host Chippa’s meeting with Kaizer Chiefs on 28 November.

The assurance was issued through Nicole Klokow, the Mandela Bay Development Agency’s marketing, communication and investment promotion manager, in response to questions directed to Bush.

“It is always disappointing to lose a high-profile fixture, particularly when supporters are looking forward to it, and we apologise for the inconvenience caused,” Klokow wrote.

“However, our role is to ensure the venue remains ready and available, and we continue to work closely with the PSL and our anchor team, Chippa United, to support their schedule.

“We are happy to confirm that the NMB stadium will be ready and in top condition for the Chiefs game in November.

“The recent pitch upgrade forms part of our ongoing commitment to world-class facilities and to ensuring the best possible experience for players and fans.

“The stadium has already proven itself at the international level, hosting the recentSpringboks vs Barbariansclash to great success.”

Supporters who had already bought tickets for the Sundowns match must await further information from Chippa United.

“Ticket refunds are handled by the event organiser and ticketing provider.

“Chippa United have stated that ticket holders will receive further communication from them.”