Confusion flares over Chippa metro move

THERE has been drama and confusion behind closed doors between the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the Eastern Cape Department of Sport and Culture regarding a possible move by Premier Soccer league side Chippa United to the metro.

Provincial MEC for Sport Xoliswa Tom and the NMB municipality’s sport and recreation portfolio chairwoman, Nomamerica Magopeni, this week denied knowing anything about the negotiations taking place between the Eastern Cape government and the newly promoted PSL team, which is presently based in Cape Town.

This comes after United boss Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi announced early this month he was in talks with the NMB municipality and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium management about moving the team to Port Elizabeth permanently.

After hearing the news, the MEC called an urgent meeting for Wednesday with the municipality, stadium management and SA Football Association (Safa) Eastern Cape top officials to be briefed about these negotiations.

According to Tom, she had heard about the deal between the metro and United from the media and her office had never been officially informed.

Yesterday, in the latest development, Mpengesi met with government and metro officials in Port Elizabeth in an attempt to clear up the confusion. He said he had had a meeting with the municipality, stadium management and provincial officials to discuss the matter, but no decision had yet been reached.