Highlands chairman has an issue with PSL move

Sy Lerman

After winning the NFD title in a similar runaway mode to that achieved recently in more illustrious competitions by the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City and Bayern Munich, Highlands Park had hoped for an appropriate celebration on their home turf in Tembisa last weekend with the growing army of fans present for the handing over of the trophy.

Instead, the PSL will hand over the NFD trophy to Highlands this weekend at the largely inconsequential final game of the season against Stellenbosch FC in Stellenbosch in front of what is likely to be a strictly modest crowd – and with almost no Highlands supporters present.

“I don’t want to quibble over the issue,” says Highlands chair- man Brad Kaftel. ‘We have had an amazingly successful run of 23 unbeaten league games to run away with the NFD title and that is ultimately what overshadows everything else.

“But it would have been nice to reward our loyal fans with them present in a celebratory atmosphere when we received our trophy,” added the chairman.

“And we had planned to make it happen during a real party atmosphere, with all the players, coach Owen da Gama and officials who had played a part in our success honoured in some way.”

Why did the PSL not let Highlands celebrate their party where it would have had the most impact? “It’s traditional to present trophies at the end of the season because issues are often only decided in the last game,” was the response.