Sinenkani disputes SAFA’s case claims, as they challenge playoffs exclusion

In a letter addressed to the provincial executive from the two provinces and their respective provincial executive councils, SAFA explained that the two provinces have been excluded due to outstanding disputes. 

The letter from the SAFA Chief Operations Officer (COO), Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe, explained that the playoffs will only continue with the seven provinces. Sinenkani FC Chairman Nathi Nqoko confirms they are going the legal route.

"As Sinenkani FC, we have instructed our legal team to challenge the decision. Already, the letter has been sent to SAFA, we are awaiting their response. The letter is very clear, we are saying they must reconsider and review their decision because it is irrational, it is unconstitutional because they are lying when they say in Eastern Cape there's a pending case because there's no case,” Nqoko said.

“The high court in East London has finalised the matter but they are just refusing to grant Eastern Cape to play a decider. So, we are then still awaiting their response and from there, if their response is negative, we are going to make an application on an urgent basis to set aside that decision."

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The national playoffs, which will promote three teams to the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL’s) Motsepe Foundation Championship, kicked off on Monday at the Giant Stadium in Soshanguve and are expected to conclude on Sunday. 

The two finalists and third and fourth place winners will be promoted to the National First Division. 

Nqoko says without teams from EC and Limpopo, these are no longer national playoffs.

"I can indicate that we were shocked because we believe that there were no basis for SAFA to take that decision. In fact we view the decision as unfortunate, irrational and unconstitutional and it deserves to be challenged because it disadvantages teams from the two provinces and at the same it disadvantages clubs that deserve to participate in the tournament,” he added. 

“So, if it's national playoffs then you exclude two provinces, the playoffs no longer reflect what we call the national character of them."