Maritzburg United chairman Farook Kadodia has spoken for the first time since his club suffered relegation from the DStv Premiership and did not mince his words.
The Team of Choice struggled throughout the entire season They finished 15th and went to PSL Promotional/Relegation playoffs where they couldn’t survive the drop.
Maritzburg needed a win in their last game of the playoffs against Cape Town Spurs on Wednesday, 14 June 2023. However, Fadlu Davids’ troops were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw. This was in front of their supporters, who came out in numbers at Harry Gwala Stadium.
The result saw CT Spurs gain promotion to SA’s top-flight, while Maritzburg got relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
“It was an evening when, despite the presence of 12,000 passionate fans at our renowned Harry Gwala Stadium, which had been hailed as an impenetrable fortress for visiting teams until this season, we regrettably succumbed to the despairing fate of relegation,” said Kadodia.
The Blue Army found themselves in the playoffs after starting the just-ended campaign slowly under John Maduka’s guidance. The former Malawi captain was in charge for three months from August 2022 to November 2022. He managed 13 league matches, recording two victories, five draws, and six defeats.
In an effort to stabilize things at the club, Fadlu Davids returned for his second stint. The 42-year-old gave them some glimpse of hope for survival. Davids took charge of 17 matches, won five, drew four, and lost eight.
FAROOK KADODIA PUTS THE BLAME ON THE PLAYERS
Kadodia feels betrayed by his own players as their performance left a lot to be desired. The club lost its R50 million Premiership status.
“To the players, we felt betrayed by a few individuals whose questionable concessions of goals during the critical stages of our battle for survival proved detrimental,” added Kadodia.
“The absence of an attacking approach in search of a winning goal was overshadowed by unappealing defensive tactics.
Kadodia added: “Is disheartening to realise that you unwittingly assisted those who hindered our progress. Even as the club diligently fulfilled its obligation to honour your contracts and provide timely salary payments.
“To the members of the board. It was a moment of disappointment, as the inability to score even a single goal came at a significant financial cost of R50 million.”
“Despite being given a chance to redeem ourselves in the playoff and receiving what could be considered a divine intervention for the club, some individuals had alternative motives that diverted us from our path.
“However, it is imperative that we leave the past behind us,” he concluded.
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