Clubs in both the ABC Motsepe Second Division and the Third Division leagues can now breathe a sigh of relief – or not!
This comes after Safa Western Cape confirmed the quota of teams that will get promoted and relegated for this season, following a rather “fruitful” engagement with the respective clubs and administrators at the Lentelus Sports Ground in Stellenbosch on Saturday, where the teams also finally received the uniform rules albeit two months after the season kicked off.
Saturday’s engagement, chaired by Chris Tyhawana (pictured) in the absence of his superior and chairman, Tankiso Modipa, might have ‘ironed’ out a few creases. Still, it definitely does not mean that all’s well that ends well, as the issue of the 14 Sasol League teams is still pending!
While some were pleasantly surprised by the harmonious tone that prevailed at the meeting, others were suspicious, saying they were only “cordial due to the upcoming elections.”
Needless to say, the province brought this mess and disarray on itself with weak leadership and governance, hence they have to continuously play catch-up.
Anyways, No Bones with Jones can confirm that it was decided that three teams in the Second Division will be relegated, one from each stream, while the two teams that end in the second-last position in their respective streams will have to play out in order to save their respective statuses.
However, should the Second Division provincial winner go on to win promotion to the NFD, then only two teams of the Second Division, one from each stream, get relegated.
This is because there are currently 25 teams in the league this season, and not 24 as in previous seasons – another contentious issue which was also probably why the uniform rules were only given over the weekend which is ludicrous to say the least.
Meanwhile, the so called ‘Garveyard League,’ the Third Division will only see two teams getting chopped and not five as initially rumoured.
This is, without a doubt, fantastic news to especially teams like Silver Spurs, one of the longest serving clubs in the league, which is a mere shadow of itself this season.
As things stand, Good Hope FC looks like favourites with Wanderers FC and JL Zwane also flirting with danger. That said, there is still ample time for teams to change their respective fortunes. But Good Hope, has all the makings to get the chop – unless!
