Kaizer Chiefs players walk out of the tunnel ahead of their match against Richards Bay FC. Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
Aug 29, 2026 – 12:34 pm
By Siya Ndlela
Kaizer Chiefs have explained the surprising decision to take their home match against Siwelele FC to Dobsonville Stadium, having been initially set to play at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium or the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
In a statement released on Friday, Amakhosi have set the record straight to clear up widespread public confusion regarding their upcoming Betway Premiership fixture against Siwelele FC, which had been linked with three separate venues.
READ: Another venue change for Chiefs match?
Why Chiefs can’t play their home match at FNB Stadium
The Glamour Boys were forced to look away from their traditional FNB Stadium home due to alternative stadium bookings (Springboks match vs the All Blacks).
Their initial alternative plan to host the Phunya Sele Sele outfit at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg completely fell through after the North West venue unexpectedly became unavailable for the club’s administrative use.
“Given that our traditional home ground, FNB Stadium, is unavailable as it will host the highly anticipated rugby clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks, a fixture that requires exclusive use of the venue and its facilities, the match was rescheduled for Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. However, that venue also became unavailable,” the statement said.
Chiefs claim they then applied to play the match at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on 2 September. However, despite stadium management indicating readiness, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) could not approve the venue because engineering teams are still conducting essential infrastructure repairs on the stadium roof.
Chiefs’ very last resort saw them heading to Dobsonville
Following a subsequent failed bid to use the New Peter Mokaba Stadium due to pending PSL compliance inspections, Chiefs partnered with Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) to lock in Soweto’s Dobsonville Stadium.
SMSA offered a date switch to accommodate a prior match booking at the venue, moving the game to Sunday.
READ: Da Cruz confirms good news on Dortley
What a win will mean for Chiefs on the Betway Premiership log table
Bagging a win against a struggling 14th-placed Siwelele FC side is a massive priority for Fernando Da Cruz’s charges as they look to climb up the tight Betway Premiership log standings.
Following their recent 2-2 draw against Richards Bay FC, a full haul of three points will keep the third-placed Amakhosi hot on the heels of early league leaders Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
The final scheduling details confirm that the match will take place at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday, 6 September, with kick-off at 17:30.
Kaizer Chiefs wishes to inform supporters that the venue for our upcoming match against Siwelele FC has finally been confirmed by the PSL following a series of logistical challenges and engagements with the different stakeholders. The match has now been confirmed to take place on Sunday, 6 September at 17:30 at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
Given that our traditional home ground, FNB Stadium is unavailable as it will host the highly anticipated rugby clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks, a fixture that requires exclusive use of the venue and its facilities, the match was rescheduled for Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. However, that venue also became unavailable.
Determined to ensure that the match goes ahead, the Club explored several alternatives. We applied to host the game at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 2 September, aligning with the alternative date provided for CAF preliminary fixtures given that the stadium would be occupied on the weekend of 5 September. After receiving the letter from the stadium accepting to host the match, we contacted the PSL but were informed that the pitch was unsuitable to host a game on the proposed dates following their inspections.
We then sought to play the game at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium. However, the PSL once again ruled that the game could not be played there.
In partnership with Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA), we applied for Dobsonville Stadium as the last option. SMSA offered Sunday, 6 September, as an alternative date due to another scheduled match at the venue.
Throughout this process, Kaizer Chiefs has worked diligently, engaging our home stadiums directly – conducting site inspections, and submitting formal applications to secure a venue and to ensure the match proceeds as scheduled.
We therefore wish to sincerely apologise to the supporters of both teams who had already made arrangements to travel to Rustenburg. We appreciate your understanding as the Amakhosi faithful and fans of Siwelele. We look forward to seeing you and having a great match in the heart of Soweto on Sunday, 6 September 2026.
Tickets for the match can be purchased through Computicket and in stores at Shoprite and Checkers stores for R80.
The League is experiencing challenges with stadia around the country and we hope the matter will be resolved soon.
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Source: www.kickoff.co.za
