Stellenbosch FC have shed light on the reasons behind their highly anticipated clash against Kaizer Chiefs being played outside their home province, Western Cape.
Stellies were drawn against Chiefs in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup set to take place at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on March 8.
In a statement released on the club’s website, they cited scheduling conflicts as the main reason for their fixture to be moved to the Eastern Cape.
“The Club has been denied an opportunity to host the highly anticipated home fixture against Kaizer Chiefs in Stellenbosch or Cape Town due to simultaneous issues of stadium availability over the designated weekend of 7-9 March 2025 and subsequent scheduling conflicts,” the statement reads.
“Stellenbosch FC had secured the availability of Athlone Stadium in Cape Town for Sunday, 9 March, for the encounter, but were denied a request to host the match on this date due to the Club’s scheduled Betway Premiership fixture against Orlando Pirates on Tuesday, 11 March 2025 at the same venue.
According to FIFA rules, there needs to be two full days between matches. SFC’s request to reschedule this league fixture by one day to Wednesday, 12 March 2025, in order to allow the Club to host the Nedbank Cup quarter-final at home, was also rejected by both the League and Orlando Pirates.
Athlone Stadium is not available for the 7th or 8th of March for the Nedbank Cup fixture due to a rugby tournament at the venue, whilst the neighbouring DHL Stadium is hosting the Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo on the weekend in question.
The Club’s home stadium, Danie Craven Stadium, remains unavailable due to historical security concerns surrounding the fixture between Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs.
As a result, with no alternative home venue available and due to the prevailing scheduling conflict, the PSL has decided to host the match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, 8 March 2025 at 18h00.”