By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) approved Maritzburg United’s name change to Durban City after the KZN club left the provincial capital to relocate to the coast.
It’s been three seasons since the club was relegated to the National First Division known as the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Team of Choice have since moved to Chatsworth, Durban, where the club will be known as Durban City FC.
The club owner Farouk Kadodia relesead a statement on Tuesday evening, expressing his disappointment in having to move the club to Durban.
“This decision has been prompted by a lack of support from the leadership of our municipality, “the chairman said in the statement.
“Despite our numerous efforts and attempts to engage in dialogue and find a solution regarding the use of a stadium for official league matches over the last 12 months, we have been unable to secure the necessary support to sustain the club in Pietermaritzburg and challenge for promotion back to the Premier Soccer League.
“As we say goodbye, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, partners, and most importantly, the ‘Blue Army’ — the club’s incredible supporters. Your unwavering support and passion have been the lifeblood of Maritzburg United.
“You have stood by us through victories and losses, through the good times and the challenging times, and your loyalty has been an integral part of our identity and success. We will always cherish the memories and achievements we have shared together, along with the close ties with the local community that were always at the heart of everything we did at the Team of Choice,” he said.
Maritzburg will be aiming to return to the top-flight next season having suffered relegation at the end of the 2022/23 season.