Promotion to the Betway Premiership is now secure for Durban City, as the Premier Soccer League DC has dismissed the protests lodged against them concerning player Saziso Magawana's eligibility.
Last week, the league’s motherbody announced that they would be no trophy handover in the Motsepe Foundation Championship this weekend amid ongoing DC case.
Magawana was said to have not been properly registered by the Durban-based outfit, according to the clubs who lodged protests. However, City have been found not guilty.
Initially, Leruma United, JDR Stars, and Cape Town Spurs had protested City's promotion, though Leruma United later withdrew their case, and Cape Town Spurs lodged theirs just this past Sunday.
Durban City firmly stood by the legality of Magawana's signing, citing his 27 appearances and one goal as proof of legitimate acquisition.
With JDR Stars' protest against them dismissed with costs by the PSL, the club now awaits Wednesday's ruling on Spurs' similar protest.
A favorable decision will definitively confirm Durban City's promotion to the PSL, and they expect to receive their trophy shortly thereafter.
Should this happen, Cape Town Spurs' relegation to the ABC Motsepe Regional League in Cape Town would be confirmed.
Their final avenue for appeal lies with SAFA's arbitration process. Interestingly, Durban City chairman Farook Kadodia had earlier stated his club's intention to go to arbitration if they had faced defeat.
‘WE HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG’
“To be honest with you, in all my years of involvement in football and having followed numerous other cases, I find this surprising,” said Kadodia.
“There was a significant case in 2022 [involving Golden Arrows fielding an ineligible player, Smiso Mbhele, and the club was fined legal fees instead of having points deducted], and people seem to have forgotten about that.
“We need to understand that we have done nothing wrong. We followed the PSL’s procedures and registered the player accordingly.”
