Baroka FC’s home ground, Mafori Mphahlele Stadium in Lebowakgomo, is unlikely to become a white elephant despite the club’s relegation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
The stadium will continue to host professional football after Baroka reached an agreement with Leicesterford City FC for the Limpopo-based venue to serve as the club’s home ground for a number of its Motsepe Foundation Championship fixtures during the 2026/27 season.
Baroka have confirmed that an agreement has been concluded between the two clubs, ensuring that the stadium will continue to see second-tier professional football even though Baroka themselves will now campaign in the ABC Motsepe League.
Leicesterford have relocated their home matches to Limpopo after previously using Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville. According to reports, Mafori Stadium will host eight of Leicesterford’s 15 home league matches this season.
The arrangement gives the Lebowakgomo community the opportunity to continue watching professional football at a venue that has become closely associated with Baroka FC.
Leicesterford’s move to Limpopo
Leicesterford City are a relatively new name in South African professional football.
The club came into existence after Sekhukhune businessman Lister Makatoane purchased the status of JDR Stars and renamed the club Leicesterford City. The transaction was completed ahead of the 2025/26 season, with Leicesterford initially continuing to play their home matches outside Limpopo.
The club has now taken the next major step by relocating its operations to Limpopo, allowing it to establish a home base at Mafori Mphahlele Stadium.
The move is significant for the province, which now has another professional club playing its home matches in Limpopo following Baroka’s demotion to the third tier.
Leicesterford survived relegation in their first season in the second tier, finishing six points clear of the relegation zone, before deciding to move their home matches to Limpopo for the new campaign.
Winning start at Mafori Stadium
Leicesterford made history by playing their first Motsepe Foundation Championship match at their new home on Saturday, August 22.
They marked the occasion with a 1-0 victory over newly relegated Orbit College at Mafori Mphahlele Stadium.
The victory gave Leicesterford three points from their opening match and provided an encouraging start to their new era in Limpopo.
It also meant that Mafori Stadium immediately returned to the spotlight as a venue for professional football following Baroka’s relegation.
Next fixture
Leicesterford’s next league assignment will be away from home when they travel to Cape Town to face Cape Town City on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Athlone Stadium.
They will then return to Mafori Mphahlele Stadium on Saturday, September 5, when they host fellow Limpopo side Magesi FC in what promises to be an intriguing provincial encounter.
The agreement between Baroka and Leicesterford therefore ensures that Mafori Stadium will remain active as a professional football venue, rather than falling into disuse following Baroka’s relegation.
For Baroka, the arrangement also provides an opportunity for their stadium to remain part of the professional football landscape while the club begins its rebuilding journey in the ABC Motsepe League.
