Marumo Gallants boss says Rustenburg move made financial sense

Sello confirmed today that the club will relocate to the Royal Bafokeng Stadium after spending the last two seasons in the Free State capital. He says it was becoming increasingly expensive to keep the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium compliant with the PSL rules, while the Toyota Stadium was also not viable for them to utilise.

"Financially speaking, it saves us quite a lot. There were more costs involved in travelling to Bloemfontein, and it's also more costly at the venues you play because some arrangements had to be made through third parties which is a challenge."

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Sello says the shorter distance from Johannesburg to Rustenburg will also benefit the players, who are mostly based in the Gauteng province. He added that the physical strain from travelling close to 400 kilometres to play home games had started taking its toll on the team.

Gallants arrived in Bloemfontein at a time when there was no professional football club in the Free State, and gained a lot of popularity with the fans there. 

Sello believes they will continue to have followers in the city despite Siwelele FC’s arrival, and says they will help them travel for their games anywhere in the country if they so wish.

"What I like about our Bloemfontein supporters is that they were very mobile. They went with us to Polokwane when we played the Carling Knockout Cup final - they moved with us and everyone you go somewhere they go with you. We had to participate in the costs of the travelling and even now we will do the same. At home or away, our supporters will always be there with us."