The South African Football Association [SAFA] in Limpopo have admitted that the incident at the provincial playoffs in Nkowa-Nkowa were embarrassing and caught them off guard. The promotion playoffs to the ABC Motsepe League could not be completed after following chaotic scenes.
Two clubs from the Capricorn Region pitched up for the playoffs and both took to the field. There had been confusion on what the SAFA arbitration on the matter between FC Lebash and Mohlabile United handed down on Thursday entailed.
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Security at the venue had to intervene while eyewitnesses also told LimSportsZone that fans also took the matter into their own hands and attacked players from both teams accusing them of disrupting the playoffs.
This has resulted in half of the matches not being played and no promotion confirmed as yet.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CASE
The two teams were involved in a SAFA Capricorn inter-playoffs 2022/2023 against each other on 11 June 2023. Lebash were accused of using an illegible player during the match and subsequently charged. But they emerged victorious on their appeal at SAFA National against the decision of the Regional Disciplinary Committee of Capricorn.
The appeal committee ruled in favour of Lebash FC for a non-compliant Protest lodged by Mohlabile United. But United took the matter to SAFA arbitration which ruled in their favour.
SAFA RESPONDS TO CHAOTIC NKOWA-NKOWA PLAYOFFS INCIDENT
Speaking to LimSportsZone, SAFA Limpopo vice president and head of competitions, Magabolle Thokwane [MAIN PICTURE] said the association will sit this week for a way forward.
“It was embarrassing. Remember this was the first incident since running our playoffs. It was an embarrassment and we were caught off guard, that I must agree. I can never run away from it, it’s a reality.
The association says they will issue un update during the week after their urgent meeting.
