Charles Mopeli Stadium desperately needs a facelift

Upgrading the football venue could transform the region into another sporting hub in the Free State

I have always regarded the Charles Mopeli Stadium as one of the best football stadiums the Free State has to offer. Apart from the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, I honestly believe there is no better stadium to host significant tournament matches than this eastern Free State football jewel that’s hidden deep in the mountains of the vastly rural QwaQwa.

The stadium carries with it immense history and part of it is that it was named after Morena Charles Mopeli, of the paramount clan that traditionally presides over large parts of land in this region that borders Lesotho along its scenic mountain ranges.

Through Premier Soccer League (PSL) fixtures, as well as the National First Division (NFD), the Charles Mopeli Stadium hosts a number of high profile matches from both leagues. According to the Free State Tourism Authority’s website, the stadium’s capacity is 50 000.

Whenever Free State Stars hosts big teams such as Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and even the provincial rivals, Bloemfontein Celtic, it normally utilises the venue. It is also the official home ground for NFD outfit, African Warriors.

In addition to the history that this stadium possesses, it is the same venue where the Maluti FET humiliated Pirates a few weeks ago in the 2013 Nedbank Cup.
In line with the fact that venue is very capable of hosting high profile matches, the Charles Mopeli Stadium will host two Nedbank cup matches this weekend. Stars will lock horns with Celtic tomorrow, while Warriors will do battle with Maluti on Sunday.

With all above of the above fixtures included, the Charles Mopeli Stadium is distinctively the busiest Nedbank Cup venue this season; already boasting no less than five fixtures in the current edition of the prestigious competition.

Given the latter, it would thus be justified to make an assertion that the stadium needs to be given more attention in terms of upgrades and maintenance by those liable to its existence.
The athletics track surrounding the pitch of the stadium is dilapidated; making it totally unusable. The existing structure has been standing for a very long time. This definitely has a negative impact on the development of athletics in the region.

QwaQwa and the surrounding areas that make up Thabo Mofutsanyana region have many schools that could utilise the athletics facilities. Competitive athletics events could also serve as a boost for the essential revenue.

As a QwaQwa native myself, this is the exact venue where I used to go watch big football matches while growing up, and I must admit, the stadium since has undergone standard refurbishments; but I believe more can still be done to turn this hidden football jewel into another prominent Free State football venue.

In its current condition, the Charles Mopeli boasts good hosting facilities for VIP guests; the media, and has above par catering facilities. Minor tweaks her and there, the Charles Mopeli Stadium could literally almost become as good as the Free State Stadium. But this requires effort from those liable and it should also be financially prioritised.

Further renovations as well heightened maintenance efforts will catapult the stadium it to the required high standards that may in turn transform the eastern Free State into the provinces second sport hub, behind the capital Bloemfontein, and Mangaung Metro in general.

The Charles Mopeli Stadium is yet to be used to its full capacity