Newlands to host CT City v Kaizer Chiefs clash

Cape Town - The epic clash between Cape Town City FC and Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs has been moved to Newlands Stadium, with the Cape Town Stadium surface still unplayable.

The Absa Premiership encounter is scheduled for 19:30 on Tuesday, August 27.

It is the third time Cape Town City have had one of their home games moved to a different venue this season.

First, City's derby with Stellenbosch FC was moved to Athlone Stadium. Then, the Citizens had no choice but to play their MTN8 quarter-final on Saturday at Newlands.

And now, after City's owner John Comitis and the PSL visited Cape Town Stadium for a pitch inspection on Wednesday, the decision has been made that City will have to play their home game against Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday at Newlands.

This is because the pitch has not recovered from the Monster Truck event held by the City of Cape Town at the venue.

“Unfortunately, the traction of the pitch is not good enough,” Comitis said.

“Everybody was cooperating to try and get the field ready for the Chiefs match. It looks ready on the naked eye but it's not."

Comitis made his views clear on the matter before the Cape derby, saying that as long as the City of Cape Town continues to neglect Cape soccer, nothing will change.

"This is yet another negligent and careless undermining of professional football in Cape Town by the Cape Town Stadium management," Comitis said on August 6.

"The club as a multi-year contract with Cape Town Stadium and is now entering its fourth year in partnership as a tenant.

"It is no secret that the league season starts each year in August, and the home opening game against Stellenbosch had been booked and agreed in advance between both the club and the city’s venue.

"As early as June, the club stressed the importance of the opening home fixture being at Cape Town stadium, raising concerns over the surface after various non-sporting events such as Monster Trucks had been accepted before the start of the season.

"However, we were assured the pitch would be ready. It’s not."