Latest news with #JDRStars
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
PSL finally announces new dates for the playoffs
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has officially announced new dates for the relegation/promotion playoffs. The three-team mini-tournament was initially scheduled to get underway on 27 May but the league had to postpone it. And this was due to unresolved issues in the Motsepe Foundation Championship involving Durban City, JDR Stars and Cape Town Spurs. Both JDR Stars and Cape Town Spurs accused champions Durban City of fielding Saziso Magawana, claiming he was not properly registered. However, their cases were dismissed last, and thus, paving way for Durban City to be crowned champions. Now, the ruling also meant both Orbit College and Casric Stars were to play in the playoffs alongside Cape Town City. Of course, Cape Town City are disappointed with the PSL that the game between SuperSport United and Golden Arrows had to be replayed after the season had 'officially' concluded. Nonetheless, they have since accepted their fate and are gearing up for the playoffs to try and retain their Betway Premiership status. PSL confirms relegation/promotion playoffs dates. Image: @officialpsl/X Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
News24
25-05-2025
- Sport
- News24
SA soccer protests: This movie keeps repeating itself
Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix Last-minute protests take away the shine from deserving teams. Durban City's celebrations were put on hold after allegations surfaced of an improperly registered player. PSL DC dismissed JDR Stars' complaint. There's a saying that I like: 'The more things change, the more they stay the same.' This rings true with the shenanigans we are now accustomed to every time the domestic soccer season is about to end. It will not be a campaign without the last-minute drama of protests as clubs try everything to wrestle points from others, via the boardroom. Same script, just different personnel. It's almost guaranteed that complaints will surface, even in the last fixture of the season. We all know that PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu works overtime as he tries to adjudicate these cases. I have seen this movie before. What a damp squib. It is mind-boggling to see this conveniently happening every season, particularly after each campaign. Although there is nothing wrong with lodging protests, waiting until the last minute raises eyebrows. Is this a last resort to gain valuable points, perhaps? It's always been the case with the Motsepe Foundation Championship, whose image is brought into disrepute at the culmination of each campaign. I might be wrong, but this makes a mockery of the system. The only good thing is that the cases are formally prosecuted by competent tribunals, where the aggrieved parties are given a fair chance to argue their cases. The fact that there's a formal process for lodging protests and a disciplinary committee to address these issues suggests that the PSL has a structured mechanism for resolving disputes. This contributes to a perception of fairness and transparency. Protests in football, by their nature, can have varying effects on the league's image, depending on the context and the reasons behind these disputes. Most protests have been over player eligibility, and this can help ensure that teams adhere to the rules and regulations, maintaining the league's integrity. This is crucial for fans' trust and engagement. However, it is baffling that they only happen at the end of the campaign when the alleged misconduct has been happening throughout the season. This doesn't augur well for the image of the league. As much as it promotes transparency and fairness, it could also have negative implications, particularly with public perception. Repeated or contentious protests might give the impression that the league is plagued by disputes or its rules are not clear enough, potentially deterring the fans and sponsors. Whether we like it or not, these protests are not only overshadowing the sporting aspects of the league, but they are also affecting the overall image of the league. But, while protests can catalyse the necessary discussions and improvements, the questions are: Are these protests legitimate or are they driven by other motivations? At this rate, those who complain are turning our football into a circus. It's boring now. Taking away the excitement I mean, it takes away the excitement and affects the celebrations. My heart bleeds for Durban City, who could not celebrate winning the NFD title, which secured them a spot in the Betway Premiership. They were not handed the trophy, with their promotion put on hold following a protest about the ineligibility of their player, Saziso Magawana. Later in the week, the PSL disciplinary committee dismissed JDR Stars' case after they alleged that Magawana had been improperly registered. A similar case by Cape Town Spurs has been referred to arbitration. While City could be crowned champions after all this drama, it will not be the same as celebrating the win on the pitch. Football is played on the field and not in the boardroom, and the sooner everyone knows and understands this, the better.
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Promoted Durban City cleared over player protest
'The PSL dismissed that protest with costs to be paid by ... JDR Stars,' said PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu JDR Stars and Cape Town Spurs have both protested over Saziso Magawana's right to play for Durban City. Picture: Backpageix Durban City look to be free to prepare for life in the Betway Premiership after a Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee (PLS DC) decided on Tuesday that they were entitled to field midfielder Saziso Magawana in a game against JDR Stars. ALSO READ: Pirates' Nkota strikes to take down SuperSport 'The PSL DC concluded a protest launched by JDR Stars, having listened to the evidence … the PSL dismissed that protest with costs to be paid by … JDR Stars. The PSL found nothing wrong with the registration of Mr Magawana,' said PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu. Spurs protest against Durban City moved to Wednesday Majavu added that the PSL had received a protest over the same player from Cape Town Spurs. That matter was also suppsoed to be heard on Tuesday as well. 'Legal representatives from Cape Town Spurs requested the matter to be postponed to tomorrow (Wednesday) to make their witness available,' added Majavu. 'That matter is scheduled to proceed tomorrow at 4.30 pm, whereafter a decision will hopefully be made regarding that protest.' Majavu added that there was still provision for JDR Stars to appeal the PSL's decision. 'As it stands (that case) currently stands as dismissed,' added Majabu, however. It seems unlikely Spurs would get any different result from their protest than Stars. Magawana joined Durban City for the 2024/25 season. The protests have arisen from the fact that it was Marumo Gallants that issued his clearance, and not Leruma United, who had bought the first division status of Gallants. Spurs' case looks increasingly desperate given that a 1-0 loss to Durban City on the weekend meant that they were relegated to the third tier of South African football. 'Respecting the rights' The PSL did take the step of not handing the Motsepe Foundation Trophy over to Durban City after Sunday's game. 'I will give a furher update on Cape Town Spurs after tomorrow,' added Majavu. ALSO READ: Midfielder headed for Pirates exit 'I can also assure football loving consumers that the league is doing all it can to make sure normal activities are not disrupted, while respecting the rights of all parties involved. This is precisely why the league took the decision in respect of delaying the crowning of the champions.'
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Durban City edge closer to Premiership promotion as first protest dismissed
Durban City will have to wait another day to hear of they have won automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership. Photo: BackpagePix 'The DC dismissed that protest with costs to the team that lodged it. Essentially, the PSL DC found nothing wrong with the registration of Mr Magawana by Durban City. To the extent that he was fielded by Durban City against JDR Stars, there was no wrongdoing, as determined by the DC,' PSL Prosecutor Zola Majavu stated in a release issued last night. The DC sat on Tuesday and ruled that there was nothing irregular about Magawana's registration. The player had previously represented Marumo Gallants, who sold their lower league status to Leruma United following their acquisition of Moroka Swallows' top-flight status. Durban City's promotion to the Betway Premiership appears all but secured after the Premier Soccer League's Disciplinary Committee (PSL DC) dismissed the protest lodged by JDR Stars, who alleged that the Durban outfit had improperly registered Saziso Magawana. League Champions🏆 We may not have lifted the trophy yesterday, but nothing can take away what we've achieved this season Through every challenge, this team stood tall and we finished at the very top. To Sgora, our fans, and everyone who stood with us This title is yours too. However, another protest remains pending — this one filed by Cape Town Spurs, who were beaten 1-0 by Durban City at the weekend, a result that secured City the Motsepe Foundation Championship title and relegated the Mother City club. Majavu confirmed that this second case was initially scheduled to be heard on Tuesday after the JDR Stars matter but was postponed at Spurs' request, as their witness was unavailable. 'It is scheduled to proceed (Wednesday),' Majavu added. Magawana played a key role in City's title-winning campaign at the weekend. The side, coached by Farook Kadodia and formerly known as Maritzburg United until their relocation from KwaZulu-Natal's political capital to Durban last season, topped the table with 58 points. They were not presented with their trophy following Sunday's 1-0 win over Spurs, as the league awaited the outcome of the protests. Logic suggests that the DC may well reach the same conclusion in the Spurs case as in the JDR one — that Durban City committed no wrongdoing. This is the stance Kadodia has consistently maintained since the initial protest was filed. Should the DC dismiss Spurs' case as well, it will confirm Durban City's long-awaited return to top-flight football. Orbit College and Casric Stars would then proceed to contest the promotion play-offs against the team finishing 15th in the Betway Premiership.
News24
27-04-2025
- Sport
- News24
Tshwane to rename another stadium after SA soccer legend
PSL / X Orlando Pirates legend, the late Amos Mkhari, will have Giant Stadium in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, renamed after him. The arena will officially be called Amos Chando Mkhari Stadium, according to the office of the City of Tshwane's economic development and spatial planning. Nicknamed "Heel Extension" because of his sheer ability to pass the ball with his heel, Mkhari died in 2014. He joins another legend from Tshwane, Lucas "Masterpieces" Moripe, who also had Super Stadium in Atteridgeville named after him in 2010. The City of Tshwane shared that the rebranding of Giant Stadium in honour of Mkhari was approved by the council on 24 April. According to the city's department of economic development and spartial planning, the move was proposed by the Soshanguve heritage foundation two years ago, in April 2023. The stadium, which is currently the home ground of second-tier side JDR Stars, is owned by the municipality. In a statement, MMC for economic development and spatial planning Sarah Mabotsa explained that the move to honour Mkhari was in line with the city's policy. The stadium is a municipality-owned property. The city's geographical names policy permits city-owned properties and roads to be renamed for reasons such as commemorating and honouring deceased persons, to recognise their achievements. Mabotsa added that such moves boost community heritage and promote the character of the area. Mabotsa concluded: "I thank the Soshanguve Heritage Foundation and their work in seeking to pay tribute to past heroes and legends in our city." Giant Stadium was upgraded in 2009 and served as a training field for teams participating in the 2010 Fifa World Cup that was hosted in South Africa.
