Ntuthuko Maphumulo
Points-deduction scare fails to derail Gordon Igesund’s bid for a third league title
Santos can win the Premier Soccer League (PSL) from their armchairs on Sunday. The champions-in-waiting have no fixtures this weekend, and if Jomo Cosmos fail to beat Kaizer Chiefs in Sunday’s televised game, the league crown will be heading for Cape Town.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the “People’s Team” this week. They got the shock of their lives when a number of clubs threatened to appeal to the PSL and South African Football Association about a referee review committee decision nullifying the red card given to lllll Sebastian Bax on March 3.
This could have resulted in Santos losing points but the threat was short-lived as by Wednesday morning none of the clubs had appealed to the league, said Santos chief executive Afzal Khan. He said the players were in good spirits despite the fright.
The head of the referees review committee Lesole Gadinabokao said:This fiction that points can be deducted from Santos on account of the Bax red card is a fantasy.”
Santos and coach Gordon Igesund can rest assured that all the discipline and consistency in the league will finally pay off. Igesund can look forward to having his name engraved on the league cup for a third time in six seasons.
Other fixtures will give a clearer picture of which team will follow Classic down to the first division. The top candidates for the drop are Hellenic and Amazulu with the Greek Gods having an easier task this weekend as they take on Classic while Amazulu have to face the might of last season’s champions, Pirates.
Hellenic claim they have a back-up plan to avoid the drop, but whatever this is, they’re not telling.
Bush Bucks are not yet safe and if they don’t win their two remaining games they might be the surprise team to be axed.
While Santos sit hoping the league falls into their laps and the bottom teams fight for survival, there’s still a lot of action in mid-table.
Some of the biggest teams are not yet assured of their places in the lucrative Top 8 competition next season and lll need wins this weekend. Kaizer Chiefs will not be in the mood to do title-chasing Cosmos any favours as the Amakhosi have not yet secured their top eight berth.
Moroka Swallows, one-time league leaders, had their wings clipped as the season progressed and after a 0-4 thrashing at the hands of Sundowns last week not even victory over Golden Arrows in their final match this weekend will put them in next season’s pipe-opener.
Three-times PSL Sundowns have not been consistent this season and will be looking to finish in third spot when they face Free State stars at the Charles Mopeli stadium a match they failed to play last week because of floodlight failure.