No request received on sale of Thanda’s status

It seemed like a storybook entry into the PSL’s Premier League after Thanda Royal Zulu romped to promotion via a runaway title success in the National First Division.

But celebrations in the Richards Bay enclave where Thanda have played their home matches speedily turned to consternation with reports that the promoted club were negotiating to sell their newly-acquired franchise to AmaZulu.

AmaZulu, the tradition-steeped Durban club who were relegated from the Premier League three seasons ago, have been trying to reclaim their status by hook or crook ever since.

And although they have failed to succeed through the more conventional mode of promotion, they have made a number of attempts to succeed in their objective through the purchase of the franchise of another club – with the suggested purchase price of R50 million mentioned in the past and claims that up to R100 million has even been suggested.

The idea that a club can buy its way into a major football league through the purchase and consequent demise of another club is considered odious by some and the PSL administration has, in fact, in past vetoed AmaZulu’s efforts in this respect.

But the PSL also allowed Cape Town City to buy the Black Aces Premier League franchise last season and there is no certainty how the league will react in regard to any new proposal.

Meanwhile, the PSL is remaining mum on the issue and maintaining they have not officially received any request of the proposed change.

And there has also been a good deal of opposition and even anger from the KwaZulu government, who helped finance Thanda’s rise to prominence and are openly opposed to the deal.