Embattled Betway Premiership side Marumo Gallants have been ‘temporarily’ forced to move their home matches from the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium to a new venue in Gauteng.
Gallants have been playing in Bloemfontein since purchasing the top-flight status of the Soweto side, Swallows at the start of the 2025/26 season.
In the past few days, Gallants have been in the news with a legal battle with Moroka Swallows, who are reportedly pushing to cancel the sale of their status to Abram Sello’s team.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa returned to the SA’s elite league from the Motsepe Foundation Championship after buying the status of Swallows in July 2024. In a shocking turn of events, Gallants reportedly failed to pay an agreed SARS tax liability and had only paid R10 million to cover player and technical staff debts partially through deductions from PSL grant payments.
The ongoing court battle is threatening Gallants’ participation in the PSL, something that has caused panic amongst local fans in the Free State.
Following the recent controversy, Marumo Gallants have now revealed that they will be temporarily moving their home matches to the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
On Tuesday afternoon, the club revealed that the decision to move their matches was necessitated by the current state of the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium, which failed the latest inspection from the league.
Interestingly, the Lucas Moripe Stadium is the venue that hosted home matches for SuperSport United before selling their status to Siwelele FC in 2025.
WHY GALLANTS MOVED THEIR HOME MATCHES TO LUCAS MORIPE STADIUM
“Marumo Gallants FC wishes to formally announce the temporary change of home venue from Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium to Lucas Moripe Stadium, located in Atteridgeville,” Gallants said.
“The decision follows the ongoing pitch and infrastructure maintenance currently taking place at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium after the venue did not meet the required standards during the Premier Soccer League inspection.
“We would like to reassure our loyal supporters across Bloemfontein and Free State that the club is not relocating. This is a temporary measure to ensure compliance with the league requirements while necessary upgrades are being completed.
“We remain fully committed to our home in Bloemfontein, and all matches will return to Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium as soon as maintenance is finalised and the venue is cleared for use. In the meantime, we call upon the Bahlabane Ba Ntwa family to continue standing with us and showing unwavering support at Lucas Moripe Stadium. Your presence, energy, and passion remain our greatest strength when we play.”
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Tshepo Rabothe
farpost.co.za
