Safa bars Limpopo, Eastern Cape from play-offs
Mpheni Defenders' hopes for promotion dashed after Safa disqualified Limpopo and Eastern Cape over unresolved disputes.
LIMPOPO – Mpheni Defenders’ hopes of promotion to the ABC Motsepe League were dashed last Wednesday when Safa’s national office barred Limpopo and Eastern Cape representatives from participating in the play-offs.
Both provinces failed to resolve disputes over their provincial champions, and the play-off matches became mired in controversy and court battles.
A highly optimistic and motivated Mpheni Defenders team travelled to Pretoria last week to represent Limpopo. Their first clash was scheduled for July 2 at the Soshanguve Giant Stadium. Just hours before kick-off, however, they were informed that the play-offs would proceed – but with only teams from seven provinces.
Ongoing legal disputes led Safa to exclude Limpopo and the Eastern Cape from the tournament.
Many soccer enthusiasts said the decision to send Mpheni Defenders to the play-offs was irresponsible.
Mpheni had lost to Dolphins FC in a provincial play-off on June 25 at the new Peter Mokaba Stadium. This tightly contested match ended 1-1 and went to penalties, which Dolphins won 5-4.
Dolphins, however, are at the centre of a dispute over who are the rightful winners of Stream B. Sunrise FC lodged a protest, which eventually landed in the Limpopo High Court.
When the final provincial play-off match was played, the sheriff of the court arrived with an interdict.
Both Dolphins and Mpheni Defenders insisted on continuing the match, despite the court order.
Early on July 1, the Safa Limpopo competitions committee made a surprise announcement, declaring Mpheni Defenders the provincial champions.
But with the national play-offs scheduled for the next day, the decision appeared to be a desperate attempt to meet deadlines.
Safa’s national executive did not endorse the decision and later that day announced that Mpheni would not be allowed to take part in the play-offs.
“The competition will continue… excluding any team from Limpopo and Eastern Cape as their disputes are not likely to be concluded before the end of the national play-offs,” said Adv Tebogo Motlanthe, acting CEO of Safa, in a letter addressed to all provinces.
