Mosoetsa joins Cardoso in questioning PSL’s stadium instability

Siwelele FC head coach Godfrey Mosoetsa has criticised the disruption caused by teams being forced to play home matches at alternative stadiums, following similar complaints from Mamelodi Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso.

Cardoso expressed his anger after Chippa United’s Betway Premiership match against Sundowns was moved on Saturday from Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to Buffalo City Stadium. The change followed the failure of the Gqeberha venue to pass a PSL inspection.

Speaking in the same auditorium at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday, Mosoetsa said Siwelele had been affected by the unavailability of Dr. Molemela Stadium. The club’s traditional home has been undergoing pitch upgrades and maintenance after the PSL ruled that it did not currently meet the requirements for elite matches.

Siwelele Sa Masele have therefore had to stage their home fixtures at the Free State Stadium, leaving them without the familiar advantage of playing in front of their own supporters at their usual ground.

“There’s this movement all over the country, teams are playing here and there, there’s no home and away. So, players must understand what a home game is. In as much as you’re not being negatively arrogant or hostile, but at least the team that is coming to Bloemfontein must know that ‘we’re playing away’,” Mosoetsa said.

He said the constant changes created a situation where clubs were officially at home but did not receive the benefits normally associated with hosting a match.

“Sometimes it’s all over the place. You (end up being) a team that is at home, but away from home. So, it makes a lot of difference. Those are the small things that I think need to be improved, in terms of saying, let the home game be a home game, because a lot of teams move all over the place.

“Now we’re going to Bloemfontein (against) Golden Arrows, which is something that makes a lot of difference because we’ve played today, we’re on the road again. But being a home game and knowing the supporters of Siwelele, it will be a full house and we have to make sure that Golden Arrows feel that they are away from home,” the veteran coach added.

The club’s stadium difficulties were more severe last season. After purchasing the status of Bloemfontein Celtic, Siwelele played their early home matches at Lucas Moripe Stadium because of stadium and logistical problems.

Marumo Gallants also used Dr. Molemela Stadium as their home venue during the previous campaign. They have since moved back to Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, explaining that stadium availability and the long distances involved in travelling were the main reasons for returning to the North West province.