THE newly-promoted PSL outfit, Chippa United FC is relocating to the Eastern Cape.
This was announced by the club chairman, Chippa Mpengesi recently.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, Mpengesi said the decision to relocate the club was due to sponsorship he was getting from the province.
The club, which was officially awarded its title yesterday at Athlone Stadium is making its second stint in the top flight football.
Mpengesi said the decision to relocate the club was also prompted by his roots being in the province.
Mpengesi was born in Ngqamakhwe just a few kilometres from Butterworth.
“We are officially relocating to the Eastern Cape. This was a decision that was taken by the club committee on Friday afternoon. We are happy as this will mean that this province will have a PSL outfit, a club that is owned by a person from here. This will also boost the economy and hospitality industry. Many people will benefit,” said Mpengesi.
Daily Dispatch understands that the sponsorship was a deal the club has cut with Nelson Mandela Metro municipality. Sources say the club has clinched a five-year-deal with the Metro to be based in Port Elizabeth.
Last year, the municipality tried to woo Maritzburg United down to the province but that deal fell through. “I can confirm what you heard and we are working on finalising paper work,” said Mpengesi.
He wouldn’t get into details of how much the deal is worth.
Nelson Mandela Metro spokesman, Mthubanzi Mniki confirmed that negotiations were underway to bring United into the city.
“We can confirm that there are negotiations with Chippa United and other clubs to be based here,” he said.
“ At this stage we cannot say much but it has been a council resolution to have a soccer club here as we have a world class stadium. This will benefit the province.”
Provincial department of sports, recreation, arts and culture head, Mzolisi Matutu said they were happy with the move.
“We appreciate this and we will do the best we can to give support as we did in other top flight clubs who were based in this province,” he said.
The club will also open academies in the province to unearth talent.
One academy will be opened in Mthatha with the second to be based in Port Elizabeth or East London.
United made headlines two seasons ago when it was promoted to the PSL after only a one-year stint with the NFD.
In 2010, he bought a Castle League franchise team, Mbekweni Cosmos and renamed it Chippa United. Immediately the club was promoted to the Second Division. A year later it was promoted to NFD and one year later to the PSL.
PSL club heading to ECape
This was announced by the club chairman, Chippa Mpengesi recently.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, Mpengesi said the decision to relocate the club was due to sponsorship he was getting from the province.
The club, which was officially awarded its title yesterday at Athlone Stadium is making its second stint in the top flight football.
Mpengesi said the decision to relocate the club was also prompted by his roots being in the province.
Mpengesi was born in Ngqamakhwe just a few kilometres from Butterworth.
“We are officially relocating to the Eastern Cape. This was a decision that was taken by the club committee on Friday afternoon. We are happy as this will mean that this province will have a PSL outfit, a club that is owned by a person from here. This will also boost the economy and hospitality industry. Many people will benefit,” said Mpengesi.
Daily Dispatch understands that the sponsorship was a deal the club has cut with Nelson Mandela Metro municipality. Sources say the club has clinched a five-year-deal with the Metro to be based in Port Elizabeth.
Last year, the municipality tried to woo Maritzburg United down to the province but that deal fell through. “I can confirm what you heard and we are working on finalising paper work,” said Mpengesi.
He wouldn’t get into details of how much the deal is worth.
Nelson Mandela Metro spokesman, Mthubanzi Mniki confirmed that negotiations were underway to bring United into the city.
“We can confirm that there are negotiations with Chippa United and other clubs to be based here,” he said.
“ At this stage we cannot say much but it has been a council resolution to have a soccer club here as we have a world class stadium. This will benefit the province.”
Provincial department of sports, recreation, arts and culture head, Mzolisi Matutu said they were happy with the move.
“We appreciate this and we will do the best we can to give support as we did in other top flight clubs who were based in this province,” he said.
The club will also open academies in the province to unearth talent.
One academy will be opened in Mthatha with the second to be based in Port Elizabeth or East London.
United made headlines two seasons ago when it was promoted to the PSL after only a one-year stint with the NFD.
In 2010, he bought a Castle League franchise team, Mbekweni Cosmos and renamed it Chippa United. Immediately the club was promoted to the Second Division. A year later it was promoted to NFD and one year later to the PSL.
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