A dramatic final day's National First Division (NFD) action on Sunday brought mixed fortunes for the Cape contingent – as Stellenbosch FC were confirmed as champions while Ajax Cape Town missed out on the play-offs and Ubuntu were relegated.
Ubuntu Cape Town managed a 1-0 win over second-placed Royal Eagles, which meant that Stellenbosch's 0-0 draw with Maccabi FC in front of a full house at the Idas Valley Sports Ground was enough to see Steve Barker's side winning the title by three points.
Ubuntu had started the day in 15th position - second last on the table - with rock bottom Witbank Spurs' relegation already have been confirmed several weeks ago.
The Mother City outfit had been hoping that a win over Eagles, together with a slip-up from anyone the three teams above them (Jomo Cosmos, Real Kings and Cape Umoya), could have enabled a last day escape act.
But it wasn't to be as Cosmos made sure of their survival with a 4-0 victory over Spurs, while Kings beat TS Sporting 1-0 and Umoya thrashed AmaTuks 6-0 in Pretoria.
There was meanwhile plenty of drama in the matches involving the two clubs which were vying to finish behind Royal Eagles in the third position on the table, Ajax Cape Town and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM).
Ahead of kick-off, Ajax were in the fourth spot, behind TTM only on an inferior goal difference - of just one solitary goal.
Needing to better TTM's result, Ajax went 2-0 up with a 67th-minute goal in their game against Mbombela United at the Kanyamazane Stadium, with TTM at that stage leading 1-0 at home against Richards Bay. That would have been enough for Ajax to make the play-offs.
But even though Urban Warriors goalkeeper Brandon Petersen kept his team's hopes alive with a late penalty save, an 81st-minute spot kick from Phumelele Bhengu took TTM through to a 2-0 win, which was enough for them to finish above the Cape Town club.
As is stood just after 5pm on Sunday, Stellenbosch team will compete with the big guns in the Premiership next season, with Durban club Royal Eagles and the Limpopo-based Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila to contest the promotion-relegation play-offs with the team that ends the season second last in the top flight.
Currently, that could be any one of Maritzburg United, Black Leopards, Free State Stars, Chippa United or Baroka FC.
There could however still be a twist in the tale. That's because TTM were recently found guilty of failing to field at least two under-23 players against TS Sporting in Thohoyandou on April 20, which they won 3-0.
After appearing in front of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Disciplinary Committee (an independent body), they were fined R30 000, (50% suspended for 12 months) and ordered to pay the costs of the hearing.
However, the PSL issued a statement earlier this week (April 30) in which they declared their intention to contest the decision, which would likely mean the possibility of a points deduction.
“The Premier Soccer League has taken the decision of its Disciplinary Committee handed down in the matter involving Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC on appeal.
"In light of the urgency of the matter due to the impending finalization of National First Division fixtures and in line with the provisions of Rule 63.1 of the NSL Handbook, the League has referred the appeal directly to an arbitrator," read a part of Tuesday's press release.
So like last year's scenario, when Ajax were ultimately relegated from the top flight at the end of a lengthy court battle (due to the ineligibility of Tendai Ndoro and a subsequent points deduction), the Urban Warriors might still have their fate decided off the field rather than on it.
African News Agency (ANA)