Chippa United cleared to return to Eastern Cape stadiums

Chippa United have confirmed that Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and Buffalo City Stadium have been approved to host matches again after maintenance work at both venues.

The Eastern Cape club will return to Buffalo City Stadium on 5 September, when they face Betway Premiership newcomers Milford FC. Their first fixture at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is scheduled for 12 September against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The return to their regular venues is a boost for Chippa United, who have been forced to play their opening home matches away from the Eastern Cape while work was carried out.

The Chilli Boys were unable to use Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha or Buffalo City Stadium in Kugompo City. Instead, they welcomed Richards Bay at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto before hosting Orlando Pirates at Kings Park Stadium in Durban.

With both Eastern Cape grounds now available, Chippa United can begin staging matches at the venues listed for their upcoming fixtures. The club’s first confirmed game back will be against Milford FC, followed a week later by a demanding meeting with Mamelodi Sundowns at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Chippa United have also endured a difficult start to their Betway Premiership campaign. They have played three matches without recording a victory and will be aiming to change that when they meet Siwelele FC at Toyota Stadium this evening.

The result will be important for coach Truter, with the club still searching for its first win of the season. Chippa United’s early form has placed pressure on the team to improve quickly, and further dropped points would leave them waiting even longer for their first success.

The club’s return to its Eastern Cape venues therefore comes at a significant stage of the campaign. While the stadium situation has now been resolved, Chippa United must also address their results on the pitch, beginning with the game against Siwelele FC.

After that match, attention will turn to the home fixture with Milford FC on 5 September and then the meeting with Mamelodi Sundowns on 12 September. The latter will be the first match played by Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium since the venue was cleared to host fixtures again.

For now, the club’s immediate objective is to secure its first victory of the season at Toyota Stadium. Truter will know that time might not be on his side if he does not start getting wins for the club.