North West under scrutiny as Orbit forced out of home ground! | Daily Sun

MPL Shakes Botswe says failure by the ANC-led government has left the province without a single properly maintained stadium capable of hosting PSL matches.

A STADIUM infrastructure crisis has hit North West, forcing newly promoted PSL club Orbit College FC to play their most important matches hundred kilometres away from home.

The provincial government is under attack from the EFF over what the opposition party calls “years of neglect, poor planning and failed governance”.

MPL Shakes Botswe delivered a scathing assessment in the Legislature on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, saying not a single properly maintained stadium exists in the province for PSL matches.

The crisis has reached crisis point as Orbit College FC prepare for a do-or-die relegation clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday, 23 May – a match that will be played at Mbombela Stadium instead of in their home province.

“The painful reality is that despite the historic promotion of Orbit College FC to the topflight of South African football, there’s not a single properly maintained stadium in North West that can adequately host PSL matches,” said Botswe.

Facilities like Olympia Park Stadium, Mmabatho Stadium and James Motlatsi Stadium were once thriving sporting venues but had since become “symbols of government failure”.

Provincial authorities had promised to upgrade stadiums for PSL games, but those commitments had fallen through.

“Orbit College FC is now forced to seek alternative venues outside the province because the ANC government was more interested in publicity and political grandstanding than delivering real development for sport infrastructure,” he said.

Stadium failures were costing North West millions of rands.

Botswe cited a recent Kaizer Chiefs fixture that was played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

“That match alone could have generated massive economic activity for our people while also giving local supporters an opportunity to experience topflight football in their own province.”

Now, Orbit College FC’s crucial final match would be played in Mbombela, robbing local fans of a chance to support their team.

“At a time when the team needs the full support of its home supporters, the failing ANC government has denied the people of North West an opportunity to rally behind thei club,” he said.

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Botswe said infrastructure collapse is more than a sporting issue. But it is a social and economic disaster.

“Sport creates jobs, unites communities, keeps young people away from crime and substance abuse, and contributes meaningfully to local economic development,” he said.

The politician called on Mzansi to support a government committed to sports infrastructure investment.

Orbit FC need at least a point on Saturday, 23 May, to survive relegation, while Pirates need victory to win their first PSL title in almost 14 years.