Safa decision on player crucial for Eastern Cape teams

DESPITE the curtain’s having come down on the ABC Motsepe League on Saturday, there is still uncertainly over which team – EC Bees or Future Tigers – will represent the Eastern Cape in the promotion-relegation playoffs in July.

The log standings show that Bees have won the league with 74 points after beating Tigers 2-0 in their last game of the season at the Bhisho Stadium on Saturday.

Tigers finished second with 72 points.

But the Ginsberg outfit could still represent the province in the playoffs for the National First Division if the SA Football Association (Safa) deducts three points from Bees for allegedly fielding an improperly registered player.

Tigers lodged the complaint against Bees, saying the Bhisho outfit had played an improperly registered player in their game against Highbury.

The player, Anele Jakuja, was at the time not a registered Bees player, Tigers say.

Should Safa rule in favour of Tigers, the team will finish the season with one point more than their rivals.

The verdict was expected last night.

Tigers boss Vukile Mlanjana said yesterday they believed they had a strong case against Bees.

Mlanjana said Jakuja played for Bees’ feeder team, Bhisho Stars, on March 11 and 18 against Black Eagles and Birmingham City in the SAB Regional League before turning out for Bees on April 8 against Highbury.

“He can’t play for both teams. He played for both even after the Safa window period had closed.

“We believe the player was [not] cleared by Bhisho Stars because no card was sent to Safa Buffalo City,” he said.

Tigers have been slammed in soccer circles for wanting to win games in the boardroom.

They were awarded three points after City Lads fielded an improperly registered player, but Safa ruled against Tigers in their case against Lion City on Friday.

But Mlanjana said: “If there were no rules we wouldn’t need referees.

“Our people need to be educated about that.”

Mlanjana was confident that Safa would rule in their favour and deduct the three points from Bees.

“Even if it doesn’t come out our way we [could still] lodge an appeal,” he said.

Safa provincial secretary Isaac Klaas would not comment on the case but said according to the log, Bees had finished top. In terms of the weekend’s results, EC Bees became No 1.

“[Under the] rules they will represent the Eastern Cape in the national championships.”

But Bees team manager Zama Nene said even though the log standings showed that they had won the league, they were awaiting the outcome of the case from Safa.

“We are in limbo. We don’t know whether [or not] to celebrate fully.

“The guys have gone for a week of rest, but I am preparing for the playoffs.

“Our plan is that EC Bees will be in the playoffs.

“If anything changes, we will take instructions from Safa,” she said.

Asked for clarity on Jakuja’s status, Nene would not comment.

Nene said they were surprised when Tigers celebrated after the game.

Safa competitions national senior manager Thomas Sadike said Safa House officials were expected in Buffalo City to inspect stadium infrastructure for the July playoffs.