TOP-FLIGHT football could make a return to East London despite Blackburn Rovers' failure to make the PSL playoffs.

This after Chippa United owner Siviwe "Chippa" Mpengesi made known his intentions to bring at least four matches to Eastern Cape this coming season - two to the Buffalo City Stadium in East London and two to Port Elizabeth.

But according to Mpengesi - who hails from Ngqamakhwe in the former Transkei - those plans will only come to fruition if the provincial and local government authorities come to the party and assist financially.

"I'm hoping to bring two high-profile matches to East London and two to Port Elizabeth, but the government and the municipalities will have to put money on the table to get us there."

While Buffalo City Metro spokesman Keith Ngesi said he could not "give much comment until the nature of the proposal is seen and considered by the metro", department of sports' spokesman Malehlohonolo Mlabateki was more forthright, saying that "budgeting has been completed for the year 2012-13".

"While we congratulate Chippa United on their outstanding achievement, we however have already finalised the Annual Performance Plans and the Operational Plans for the current financial year. It is really unfortunate that such great intentions cannot be taken care of in our operations this year."