The reason Ezenkosi stopped using Vosloorus Stadium

He said not only were the team’s supporters affected by this but the whole community of Vosloorus.

“You know teams like Jomo Cosmos are crowd-pullers. They always have a large number of people coming to watch them when they play. Imagine if they were promoted to the PSL and had to play with the likes of Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates.

“This was going to attract a big crowd. As a result this would boost the township’s economy as street vendors would sell their products during the games. But the decision that led to them stop playing here is very bad.

“Whoever made that call better reverse it because I doubt the reason is that the stadium does not meet safety standards, as well as a grading certificate. If that was the case it wouldn’t take so long to have the paperwork that would lead to the release of the certificate.”

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Kathorus MAIL contacted Ephraim Sono on this issue, but he said the publication should speak to Vincent Campbell, the head of department of sport and recreation in the City of Ekurhuleni.

“You must speak to Campbell, he knows why we no longer use Vosloorus Stadium. He has all the answers. As for my team, we loved to play there because of the support we got from Vosloorus. When I formed this team this is where we were playing our home games and won the league (National Soccer League back then) in 1992. Our loyal supporters who were there from the beginning still support us. We would have loved to pay them for their loyalty by bringing our league games close to their back doors,” Sono said.

Kathorus MAIL tried to contact Campbell, who only responded through the divisional head of communication and media relations, Nhlanhla Cebekhulu.

Cebekhulu said the reason Jomo Cosmos FC is not using the Vosloorus Stadium is that the stadium does not have a valid venue safety and grading certificate, which is a prerequisite of the PSL.

“We are currently in the process of getting all the necessary documentation that will result in the issuing of the said certificate. Once we receive it, Jomo Cosmos FC will then be able to resume the use of this stadium,” said Cebekhulu.

After asking Cebekhulu how long it would take them to get the said documents he said, “We cannot put a definite period in getting these documents, but we are trying our best to get them as soon as possible. Once all documents are received the certificate will be issued within three days. Unfortunately, as things stand no professional football can be played at the stadium,” he said.

Cebekhulu added that he understood the anger of the fans as they are currently not seeing their favourite team playing at the venue. “That is why we will speed up the process of issuing the certificate as soon as we receive the documents.”

What soccer fans say.

Mlungisi Mathonsi said he never missed any of Ezenkosi’s home games and that he supports Kaizer Chiefs but what happened with Jomo Cosmos has also dealt them a huge blow.

“We were hoping that chances of us watching big teams in the PSL would be high should Jomo Cosmos get promoted from NFD to PSL. This puts us 10 steps backwards. Chances of us watching those teams are now very slim.”

Thabani Mthimkhulu, one of the street vendors who benefited from matches played by Jomo Cosmos, said he knew that every second week the Vosloorus Stadium would be almost packed to capacity, which provided him the opportunity to sell cold drinks to support his children.

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“It’s not only the team’s supporters who were affected by this but us, the street vendors because this is where we would make more money to pay school fees for our children.”