Tornado back at summit
Tornado are back at the summit of the ABC Motsepe league logstandings following a ruling by the provincial SA Football Association that saw the defending champions being awarded full points from their 2-2 draw against Yaka United.
Safa-Eastern Cape provincial secretary Isaac Klaas said Yaka United were found guilty of fielding unregistered players during the match.
Tornado were one point behind log-leaders Mthatha Bucks, who have 62 points – and the boardroom decision that went in Tornado’s favour has propelled Tshepo Motsoeneng’s charges to 63 points.
“The disciplinary committee met and ruled in favour of Tornado.
“So the committee found Yaka United guilty of the offence and awarded maximum points to Tornado,” confirmed Klaas.
Klaas said the association had not received as many disputes as previous seasons.
But there was still a strong possibility that another complaint could be lodged after Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash between Tornado and Bizana Pondo Chiefs.
“Mthatha Bucks which is another competing team will be playing against Future Tigers who are out of the race, so we don’t expect any problems from that game,” said Klaas.
“It’s only the game between the defending champions and Chiefs that we expect to have issues with, but we are very happy with progress made in the league this season.
“We don’t have any outstanding games and we should be ready for the promotional playoffs.”
Whoever wins the league will represent the province at the ABC Motsepe League Promotional playoffs that will be hosted in Cape Town from June 2 to 8. The playoffs will see two teams from the third-tier league being promoted to the National First Division.
Fixtures: Bush Bucks Academy v Peace Makers (Jan Smuts Stadium, EL), Mthatha Bucks v Future Tigers (Mthatha Stadium, Mthatha ) Tornado v Bizana Pondo Chiefs (Orlando Sports Field, Mdantsane) , PE Stars v Birmingham City (Fairview Sports Field, Fairview, PE), The Guys v Swartkops Valley United Brothers (Mpeshwa Sports Fields, Bizana), Butterworth v Amavarara (WSU Sports Field, Ibika Campus), Yaka United v Highbury (Mt Ayliff Stadium), Matta Milan v Sibanye (Dutywa Stadium).