WATCH: PSL officials inspect uMhlathuze stadium

PSL inspects state of readiness of uMhlathuze soccer stadium

May 29, 2025

Dave Savides 1 minute read

The new grandstand which will raise the stadium’s capacity to 9 000 is looking good – but the dead grass on the field presents a major challenge Photo: Dave Savides

Premier Soccer League’s (PSL’s) Chief Operations Professor Ronnie Schloss is conducting an inspection of the uMhlathuze soccer stadium to check its state of readiness for the new season.

Richards Bay FC has been unable to play home games since September 2021 when the PSL banned use of the uMhlathuze stadium.

The PSL had condemned the hazardous, near derelict uMhlathuze Stadium from hosting fi xtures, mainly as a result of unsealed roof water running down electrical pathways, flooding offices and passages.

Responding to questions from the ZO earlier this month, the City of uMhlathuze outlined progress ahead of ‘the practical completion of the stadium refurbishment’ on 31 May, which would allow the facility to be utilised – pending PSL inspection, assessment and authorisation.

At the time, progress of the stadium rebuild was cited at 94%, a number of items still being worked were listed, including: access control, CCTV, internet/wi-fi connections, turnstiles, seat numbering, and immovable furniture in VIP suites.

City Manager Phakama Mhlongo however expressed onfidence that the PSL requirements will have been met.