Chippa United will play six matches in Buffalo City this coming season but none of those include showdowns against any of the marquee teams.
Chilli Boys chair Siviwe Mpengesi said last season he would bring a high-profile game against either Orlando Pirates or Mamelodi Sundowns to Buffalo City but the Betway Premiership fixture list released by the PSL on Thursday did not provide for that.
As per the 2024/2025 fixtures, Chippa face Richards Bay (September 21), Magesi (November 9), Cape Town City (December 14), Marumo Gallants (January 18), Sekhuhune United (February 22) and AmaZulu (March 29) in East London as home fixtures.
That is one match short of their agreement with the Buffalo City municipality which requires the club to bring seven of their 15 home league games to East London.
This is according to the club’s sponsorship deal with the metro in which they receive R1.2m for each match.
They will receive R8.4m for the seven PSL matches in a season and a R3.5m one-off fee to market the BCM brand on their regalia and in games.
After Kaizer Chiefs travelled to the city in April, Mpengesi said he was planning on rotating games featuring the Soweto giants between Gqeberha and East London.
But that depended on getting the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality’s approval.
The Bay’s sports political head Bassie Kamana argued then that the marquee games which included Mamelodi Sundowns, Chiefs and Pirates were supposed to be held in Gqeberha as per their contractual agreement.
As things stand, their word remains firm as fixtures involving Pirates, Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs are in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Chippa’s executive director, Lukhanyo Mzinzi, referred questions on Thursday to Mpengesi who could not be reached after numerous attempts via WhatsApp or voice call.
According to the league’s rules, Chippa are allowed to change their marquee fixtures from Nelson Mandela Bay to Buffalo City during the season but must notify the opposition and the PSL in advance.
Last-minute chopping and changing is something that backfired on Chippa last season and left the club’s East London fans disappointed after Polokwane City refused the change of venue, stating it was short notice as they had booked their accommodation and flights to Gqeberha in advance.
On the bright side, East London may finally see night games played at the Buffalo City Stadium after a seven-year wait but that depends on the approval of PSL official Prof Ronnie Schloss, who is in the province.
Chippa have proposed that their games against Richards Bay, Magesi, Cape Town City and Marumo Gallants be played at night.
Since the venue was revamped by new tenants Chippa Holdings, the club has been unable to play night matches because the mother body deemed the floodlights inadequate.
This prevented the club from hosting midweek fixtures at the venue.
With recent renovations to the stadium, which included new floodlighting and a replay television screen, Chippa are hoping for a positive verdict from Schloss.
Chippa finished 12th on the log last season with 34 points from 30 games.
They have acquired the service of Giovanni Philander (Steenberg United), Andile Jali (free agent), Sifiso Mazibuko (Jomo Cosmos), Samkelo Jali (Maritzburg United), Xolani Sithole (Pretoria Callies), Thobani Jacobs (Pretoria Callies) and Aphelele Teto (Livingston) for the new season.
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