AJAX Cape Town have moved out of Cape Town Stadium for the rest of the season, claiming the pitch is in poor condition but also admitting it is getting too costly for them to host games there.
The Urban Warriors' officials said at the weekend they would complete their home programme at Athlone Stadium, which has a much better playing surface but has become a tatty venue covered in pigeon droppings.
Ajax have home games to come against Mpumalanga Black Aces on Friday; struggling Lamontville Golden Arrows and SuperSport United. They also must play four games away - the last three of which will be consecutively as they close the season in late April and early May.
The Cape Town Stadium pitch, added Ajax executive director Ari Efstathiou, had been damaged by a concert featuring US rapper Eminem, while the surface at Athlone Stadium is in pristine condition despite being used extensively during the African Nations Championship tournament in January. But the costs of hosting games at Cape Town Stadium also affected the decision.
Ajax had hoped the accessibility of the stadium built for the 2010 Fifa World Cup would attract bigger crowds, but an increase in attendance has not been able to cover the rental and security costs.
This leaves the iconic venue without a sporting tenant as provincial rugby teams - Stormers and Western Province - are being courted by the city council but are reluctant to move away from Newlands Stadium.
Ajax abandon World Cup stadium
AJAX Cape Town have moved out of Cape Town Stadium for the rest of the season, claiming the pitch is in poor condition but also admitting it is getting too costly for them to host games there.
The Urban Warriors' officials said at the weekend they would complete their home programme at Athlone Stadium, which has a much better playing surface but has become a tatty venue covered in pigeon droppings.
Ajax have home games to come against Mpumalanga Black Aces on Friday; struggling Lamontville Golden Arrows and SuperSport United. They also must play four games away - the last three of which will be consecutively as they close the season in late April and early May.
The Cape Town Stadium pitch, added Ajax executive director Ari Efstathiou, had been damaged by a concert featuring US rapper Eminem, while the surface at Athlone Stadium is in pristine condition despite being used extensively during the African Nations Championship tournament in January. But the costs of hosting games at Cape Town Stadium also affected the decision.
Ajax had hoped the accessibility of the stadium built for the 2010 Fifa World Cup would attract bigger crowds, but an increase in attendance has not been able to cover the rental and security costs.
This leaves the iconic venue without a sporting tenant as provincial rugby teams - Stormers and Western Province - are being courted by the city council but are reluctant to move away from Newlands Stadium.
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