The one thing Safa Cape Town had to prevent at its annual Third Division Playoffs – to stop another scandal – the organisation couldn’t do.
Who can forget the drama and campaign at the William Herbert Sport Complex, where a staggering and mind-blowing 58 goals were scored in two matches in Group H, which included Rebels FC, Two For Joy, West Coast, Electric City and Diadora FC.
Now, a similar scenario played out this weekend at The Greens where Atlantis Leeds destroyed Cape Town Celtics by 20-1 with the half-time score being 1-1, while Young Idols recorded the second highest scoreline at the playoffs on Sunday in Manenberg when they embarrassed Lansur United from Hanover Park by 21-0 (3-0).
Subsequently, It appears the only people that could not smell a rat was that of the Safa CT officials. And to think something like this was within the region’s grasp to ensure that history does not repeat itself, but it did – so, what does this tell the football fraternity about their ability to govern football in the Cape Metropole?
Have they not learnt anything from past experiences and shortcomings? One would’ve expected Safa CT to especially have its finger on the pulse by instructing their officials and delegates to be extra vigilant for any irregularities this time round.
Furthermore, the region had a strong and visible delegation present at The Greens where this scandal played out, and no one picked up anything fishy, or at least noted it on record that something was amiss for further investigation.
If so, let the public at least know as there are so many conspiracy theories and rumours which strangely somehow all sound believable. But if the region can dispel this, they should nip it in the butt.
Up until then, questions will be asked such as how none of the Safa officials on duty did not have the presence of mind or inclination to probe the matter.
Where was the match commissioner and why was this not noted? Why does the region have to wait on match officials to submit a report when they can summon these officials to state their respective verdicts. Where was the referee’s eyesight and discretion to pick up that something was not right?
By the looks of it, it creates the perception that the region’s delegates were unfazed and disinterested in what was really happening in these crucial matches.
One can actually draw stark parallels between official structured football versus rebel or Sunday league football and deduce that the latter is far better organised and runs smoother than what is playing out at the Mother body.
Just imagine what the administration of these so-called ‘gangster’ leagues could achieve should they be allowed to run the region for once.
Clubs under the ambit of Safa CT must also wake up and realise that all the hard work and investments, and sponsorships count for nothing if there is no desire or appetite from the custodians to grow the game and take it to the next level.
One supposes it doesn’t matter if football is polluted and riddled with mediocrity, scandal and incompetence – as long as ‘football shall be played’.
