LIMPOPO – Hlanhla Northern Bucs secured their place in the provincial playoffs with a 3-1 victory over Gawula Classics in the Champ of Champs playoffs at Giyani Stadium on Sunday, but the outcome was overshadowed by controversy after another team disputed the final standings despite Safa regulations clearly determining the winner.

The Champ of Champs playoffs bring together the teams that finished top of their respective Castle League streams to compete for the district’s sole place in the provincial playoffs. The eventual provincial winner earns promotion to the ABC Motsepe League.

The situation going into Sunday

Going into Sunday’s decisive fixture, Gawula Classics led the standings with seven points and needed a win to become the outright champions of the playoffs, as victory would take them to 10 points, just above the threshold mark that had already been set at nine points.

However, Northern Bucs, with only six points, faced a much tougher task. Not only did they need to win, but they also had to do so by a sufficient margin to improve their goal difference, as another team had already reached the nine-point mark.

Despite the odds being against them, Northern Bucs produced a determined performance to claim a convincing 3-1 victory over Gawula Classics, securing the district’s place in the provincial playoffs.

The goal-difference decider

The result left Northern Bucs level on points with MJM Hotspurs FC of Phalaborwa. However, after the standings were calculated in accordance with Safa regulations, Northern Bucs emerged as the team that would represent the district in the provincial playoffs.

They finished with a superior goal difference, edging MJM Hotspurs by two goals.

Dispute erupts

The outcome, however, sparked controversy as MJM Hotspurs FC refused to accept the result, insisting they should have qualified despite the competition rules clearly favouring Northern Bucs on goal difference.

They argued that their chances of qualifying had been compromised after one of their scheduled opponents failed to honour its fixture, resulting in them being awarded three points and a 2-0 victory without a ball being kicked. They further argued that the automatic 2-0 scoreline disadvantaged them, claiming that had the match been played, they could have won by a bigger margin and improved their goal difference.

However, Hlanhla Northern Bucs were also awarded three points and a 2-0 victory after one of their scheduled opponents failed to honour its fixture. Safa officials attempted to explain that the regulations clearly determine the winner in such circumstances and that Northern Bucs had qualified on a superior goal difference. However, MJM Hotspurs refused to accept the outcome.

Protest lodged, confirmation on hold

It was eventually agreed that MJM Hotspurs would submit a formal protest letter to the relevant Safa committee for consideration. Pending the committee’s decision, the official confirmation and handover of the final results were put on hold.