City of Polokwane municipality mayor Makoro John Mpe has revealed that SuperSport United have expressed a wish to use the city as their alternative home ground again.
Mpe was speaking at the launch of the 3 in 1 Marathon at the Peter Mokaba stadium this past week.
While giving his speech about the facilities the city has, the mayor mentioned that he was contacted by club official David ‘Mazolman’ Skhosana who said Matsatsantsa would be happy to replace those who were allegedly leaving Polokwane.
SuperSport have used the municipality’s facilities before in 2011/12. It has been widely reported that one of the city’s occupants Marumo Gallants, have not been happy with their deal with the municipality and though they haven’t said anything officially, they have been playing most of their games this season in their alternative home, Rustenburg.
Mpe was asked for more information on this and if this meant that their deal with Gallants is done. He responding by saying the request from the Pretoria side is a vote of confidence in the city while they are not clear of Gallants’ intentions.
“We had a discussion and it’s a vote of confidence [the SuperSport enquiry] in the city of Polokwane more than anything. There are clubs who are approaching us to say we’d like to be associated with the city and to bring some of our games to the city,” he said.
“We will continue to be open with SuperSport as you know they had a deal before with us and they’d like to revisit their old home.
“Peter Mokaba stadium is the home of Sekhukhune United. Others might want to say how do we have an alternative venue, like Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport now wanting to have a discussion. We will listen to what is it that they are bringing forward.
“We will continue to engage Marumo about whatever intention to leave. Of course we were not happy when a big match between themselves and Kaizer Chiefs was taken to another city. We were not happy but it is water under the bridge. We are prepared to discuss going forward.”
Three of Gallants’ next four matches are home games, including the league tie against Orlando Pirates and the Nedbank Cup Limpopo derby against Magesi FC, scheduled for Rustenburg.
The mayor admitted it would hurt the municipality and everyone involved, if another big game is indeed taken away.
“Whether people like it or not Polokwane is a much better place to attract more supporters into the game,” he added.
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“It will not only be a loss on their side, it will also be of course a loss on our side. It will be a loss on their side in terms of building a loyal support base in Polokwane.
“The team has its roots in Polokwane but however, we’ll accept any decision that they take on their side. We are also looking into the future. We’ve also got other clubs which are in the lower divisions.”
Story by Lethabo Kganyago (@KganyagoLee).
