/ 2 September 1997

Birds bid for Orlando stadium

TUESDAY, 11.00AM:

SOWETO’S Orlando Stadium could soon become a permanent home for soccer club Moroka Swallows — the self-proclaimed “ambitious club” has plans to buy the stadium, renovate and upgrade it, and establish it as a base for their future club matches.

Swallows director Mike Mangena said on Monday that the purchase will be “taking the club back to the people”, and considering their growing numbers of fans, “it makes sense to own the stadium”.

Co-director Chicco Twala said the club’s sponsors are interested in their plans, but “should it not be possible to buy the stadium, we will ask the council for a 10-year-lease so that we can finally put down roots and end our days of moving from one ground to the other.”