Maritzburg United is facing a significant shift as they approach a potential name change.
This comes amid a prolonged dispute over the use of the Harry Gwala Stadium, which has forced the club to relocate permanently to Durban.
After Maritzburg United’s relegation, they were barred from using Harry Gwala Stadium.
The venue was taken over by Royal AM, who secured both the stadium and financial support from the Msunduzi Municipality.
Initially, there was a plan for Maritzburg and Royal AM to share the stadium. However, in August, Royal AM sent a letter to the municipality requesting that Maritzburg United be removed from the training field to accommodate their own teams.
Relocation to Durban
As a result, Maritzburg United played their home matches at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont last season. Despite multiple efforts, CEO Younus Kadodia has been unable to negotiate a return to Harry Gwala.
He expressed his frustration about possibly ending the club’s 21-year history in Pietermaritzburg.
No Resolution for Harry Gwala Stadium
Kadodia shared that finding a solution for the use of Harry Gwala has been unsuccessful. “It’s disheartening that a club with such a long history in Pietermaritzburg will no longer be playing there,” he said.
“The club is currently working on its future direction.”
The Challenge of the Club’s Name
With the club now based in Durban, Kadodia noted the incongruity of keeping the “Maritzburg United” name. For the 2024/25 PSL season, matches will be held at Chatsworth Stadium.
Kadodia indicated that a decision about the club’s name would be made in the coming weeks, acknowledging that it’s challenging to maintain the Maritzburg identity while playing elsewhere.
Commitment to Football Despite Changes
Kadodia reassured fans that the club is not stepping away from football. Instead, they are considering a name change as part of their ongoing adjustments.
“We’re only changing the name, and the club’s directors will decide on the best path forward,” he explained. “We’ve built a strong community brand over the past 21 years, and it’s unfortunate that fans are struggling to attend games in Durban.”
Looking Forward
This situation marks the second season that Maritzburg United fans have faced difficulties traveling for home games. The club will need to build new support in the Chatsworth area and adapt to these significant changes.
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