uMhlathuze Soccer stadium field repair contractor appointed
uMhlathuze appoints specialist contractor as repairs begin, but stadium’s PSL return date remains uncertain.
AS the four-week PSL ban on the use of the uMhlathuze Stadium kicks in, there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel leading to the condemned playing field.
Responding to a ZO query on Monday, City of uMhlathuze communications manager Simphiwe Makhanya confirmed that the municipality has finalised the appointment of a specialist contractor.
“However, due to the fact that the required equipment to do this work is not always readily available, the contractor has informed the city that work is set to begin on 7 September. We anticipate that this work will be done around 14 September,” said Makhanya.
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The name of the appointed contractor was not mentioned, but given the mandate and scope of work the Premier Soccer League (PSL) demanded before a further inspection and approval of the ground will be done, the chances of seeing Richards Bay FC and Milford FC home games taking place in the city within the stipulated four weeks appears remote.
Among others, the PSL said rehabilitation work should include weeding and the spraying of weeds, cutting grass to about 20mm, fertilizing, and applying top dressing to level the surface.
Financial impact
The negative effect is immediate, starting with what would have been a money-spinning NRB home game against Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday, 26 August.
This is followed by ‘home away from home’ fixtures against AmaZulu (4 September), Sekhukhune (18 September), and possibly even Mamelodi Sundowns (17 October), should the pace of repair be slow.
Milford will forfeit home ground advantage when they host Durban City on 19 September.
In between those games is the first Betway Premiership derby between the Rich Boyz and Stallions on 13 September.
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