The only provincial team in the Premier Soccer League, the Mpumalanga Black Aces, will continue using the Mbombela Stadium as their first home venue when the new PSL season kicks off in August.
This was confirmed by the team’s spokesperson, Gordon Masondo during his visit to Mbombela last week.
“Mbombela Stadium is our home and we are not going anywhere. We would like though to take the team to other stadiums around the province, so that everyone can takeownership of the team.
“But you know, according to the PSL rules and guidelines there are certain standards that stadiums should meet before they can be utilised during official games and we unfortunately don’t have many around the province that meet the PSL standards,”
said Masondo.
The past season saw the home team taking some of their home games to the Kanyamazane stadium.
The PSL, though, prohibited Aces from hosting night games there because the stadium did not comply with lighting standards.
“We are tempted to utilise the eMalahleni and Middelburg stadiums because of lack of support from people, especially around Mbombela and Ehlanzeni. However, because we want to accommodate all our supporters, we think Mbombela is the neutral venue for us,” Masondo said.
It has been confirmed that the opening round of next season’s games will take place on the weekend of August 8 -10, and Aces have been pitted against Bloemfontein Celtic.
Masondo could not say whether they will play their opening fixture at the Mbombela Stadium or KaNyamazane, but indicators favoured the 2010 Soccer World Cup stadium.
Masondo also confirmed that Aces had already started training for the new season and had also beefed up their squad. He said they would use the e.tv inaugural Charity Showdown scheduled for July 19, to showcase their new signings.
The long list of new recruits includes the former Golden Arrows players, Mzivukile Tom and Thanduyise Khuboni, Zimbabwean international, Peter Moyo and former Moroka Swallows player, Roger da Costa.
