Chippa United have confirmed a change of venue for their upcoming Betway Premiership showdown with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
The much-anticipated fixture will no longer be played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Instead, Chippa United will host the reigning African champions at Buffalo City Stadium in KuGompo, East London.
The fixture remains scheduled for Saturday, 12 September 2026, with kick-off at 17:30.
Why was the Chippa vs Sundowns match moved?
The venue switch follows an inspection of Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, with the ground reportedly failing to meet the Premier Soccer League’s required standards.
The condition and maintenance of the playing surface were among the concerns raised during the inspection.
With the match just days away, Chippa United have therefore moved the fixture to Buffalo City Stadium.
The East London venue is already familiar territory for the Chilli Boys, having hosted their recent league encounter against Milford FC.
Chippa have also urged supporters from across the Eastern Cape to come out in large numbers, with tickets reportedly available for R100.
Sundowns arrive in red-hot form
The venue change adds another layer of intrigue to a fixture that already presents a major challenge for Chippa United.
Mamelodi Sundowns have made an excellent start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign, going unbeaten through their opening six matches.
The Brazilians have collected 16 points and currently sit at the summit of the league standings.
Their impressive run has included a 5-2 victory over AmaZulu, a 2-1 win against Lamontville Golden Arrows and a thrilling 3-2 triumph over TS Galaxy.
Sundowns then recorded back-to-back 2-0 victories against Marumo Gallants and Milford FC.
Their only dropped points came against Kaizer Chiefs, with the two giants playing out a 1-1 draw.
The early results have once again established Sundowns as one of the leading contenders for another league title.
Chippa United searching for a breakthrough
Chippa United have endured a far more difficult opening to the campaign.
The Chilli Boys sit 12th with four points from five matches and are still searching for their first victory.
Their record currently stands at four draws and one defeat.
They suffered their heaviest loss against Orlando Pirates, going down 3-0, before their most recent match ended in a goalless draw against Milford FC.
That leaves Chippa facing an enormous challenge against an unbeaten Sundowns side.
However, the move to Buffalo City Stadium gives the Chilli Boys a new home setting and an opportunity to produce a major upset in front of their supporters.
Chippa United vs Mamelodi Sundowns kicks off at 17:30 on Saturday, 12 September.
