Shaun Bartlett’s injury time equalizer gave the FNB Stadium the kind of sending off it was looking for, as the noise that reverberated around the old lady once The Amakhosi had equalized late in the game against arch rivals Orlando Pirates. Could literally have brought the house down, as the Chiefs fans went into a real state of ecstasy as The Amakhosi denied Orlando Pirates their first victory over Chiefs in over two years.

As the FNB Stadium shut its doors many of those present will remember the game for a long time to come, once the stadium re opens its doors some time in 2009 just before the 2010 FIFA World Cup rolls around. With the FNB Stadium undergoing renovations it has meant that Chiefs will have to find a new home, albeit a temporary one as Chiefs are in the process of constructing their own stadium. As the cement begins to dry at the foundation of the new Amakhosi Stadium, currently under construction in the Mogale City municipality west of Johannesburg.

In the meantime Chiefs have packed up their kit so to speak and moved off to the nations capital city Tshwane (Pretoria), and the Vodacom Loftus Stadium where they will see out the remainder of their league fixtures for the season. As the scenery changes for Chiefs from the vast open expanses of the FNB Stadium, to the Jacaranda lined trees around the Vodacom Loftus Stadium. The objective for Chiefs is still the same and that is to be successful in their remaining fixtures for the year, starting with Maritzburg United on Sunday.

Chiefs midfielder David Obua is of the opinion that the Amakhosi will be well received in the capital and playing in Loftus will be no different to the FNB Stadium, “in the past we have also had a good reception playing at Loftus and I don not think it will be any different this time around. Loftus is a nice compact Stadium with the supporters close which adds to the atmosphere, the pitch is always in good shape and the other facilities are as good as the FNB Stadium”.

Like Obua Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has no qualms with Chiefs having to play their remaining games at Loftus, “Loftus in terms of infrastructure is just as good as the FNB Stadium. The surface is of a high standard and to us it really does not matter where we play because wherever we go it is like a home game, as our supporters always come out to watch us in large numbers.”

Chiefs will get the opportunity to get acclimatized with their new environment on two occasions before the year is out, first up when they face Maritzburg United on Sunday 17th December. Followed up three days later on the 20th December against Santos, which is a Wednesday evening game. Tickets for both games are currently on sale at Computicket and Checkers – Shoprite outlets nationwide at a cost of R20.

Kaizer Chiefs remaining league Fixtures for 2006

Sunday, December 17th

Vodacom Loftus Stadium, Tshwane (Pretoria)

Kaizer Chiefs Vs Maritzburg United

Kick Off 15h45

Wednesday, December 20th

Vodacom Loftus Stadium, Tshwane (Pretoria)

Kaizer Chiefs Vs Santos

Kick Off 20h00