The land on which Kaizer Chiefs held their first training session in Soweto has been sold in an auction for R2.2m.
Property developer Cliff Becker reached an agreement with the Uniting Reformed Church to build 43 houses years ago on the piece of land in Phefeni.
But residents would not have any of it.
They vowed to stop any development in the land which is not related to Chiefs.
Becker tried to persuade Chiefs to buy the land, but did not succeed. Yesterday, the land went under the hammer.
Marko Gaspar, director at Auction Central, confirmed the sale of the land.
"We've got a verbal confirmation that an offer has been accepted. It went for R2.2m as the highest bid," Gaspar said.
He added that the company sent the information pack to Chiefs for the club to participate if it wishes.
"We sent Kaizer Chiefs the information pack, but we heard nothing from them.
"I'm not sure what the gentleman who bought the property wants to do with it.
"If it was me I would keep it as it is, maybe put some grass down and develop it a bit for the community," Gaspar said.
Chiefs chairperson Kaizer Motaung used the land for training for his very first team in 1970.
The land is situated just opposite the Motaungs' family home in which some of the players stayed during the club's formative years. There has been no development of the land since Amakhosi stopped training on it.
It has an old small church which recently caught fire. Next to the church is the dusty soccer pitch on which some of Chiefs greats such as Patrick "Ace" Ntsoelengoe honed their skills.
When the Glamour Boys, as Chiefs are also known, celebrated 50 years in January, a marquee was erected on the dusty pitch for the festivities.
Generations of the club's greats such as Vusi "Computer" Lamola, Doctor Khumalo, Marks Maponyane, Gardner Seale and the younger generation reflected on the team's success.
Currently the land is used by local clubs, including grannies called Phefeni Gogos for training.
Becker had mixed emotions after the auction.
"I am most relieved to have it off my back. I could have built 43 houses for people, but unfortunately it wasn't to be. I am disappointed though that Kaizer Chiefs never bought it. But we don't know, maybe the buyer was Chiefs," he said.
Chiefs promised to reply to Sowetan's questions, but had not done so at the time of going to print.
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