SAFA Mpumalanga issue update on bizarre Nedbank Cup case
There has been an update on the bizarre SAFA Mpumalanga case that has delayed the confirmation of Orlando Pirates Nedbank Cup’s Last 32 opponents.
Despite the official draw that took place last month, Mpumalanga are yet to confirm its representatives as one of the eight SAFA structures.
The provincial representatives are set to meet the Soweto giants Pirates on Saturday, 24 February at Mbombela Stadium.
BACKGROUND OF THE SAFA MPUMALANGA NEDBANK CUP STRANGE CASE
The delay is due to a legal battle between ABC Motsepe League side Middleburg United and HoolywoodsBets Men’s Regional League side Crystal Lake FC. The two teams played in a provincial playoff, with Crystal Lake emerging 1-0 victorious and subsequently qualifying for the Last 32.
But Middleburg immediately lodged a protest after their defeat. Strangely, the protest is about the physio that was used by Crystal Lake. They claim that the said Physio is not the person he claims to be.
The matter first sat on 26 November 2023 but was ruled to be non-compliant. Middleburg appealed that decision, and it was taken straight to the SAFA arbitration.
FARPost can confirm that the matter will sit on Thursday, 8 February, at the SAFA headquarters. It is scheduled for 17:30.
LEADERS CONFIDENT THAT ORLANDO PIRATES’ LAST 32 OPPONENTS WILL BE CONFIRMED SOON
SAFA Mpumalanga Secretary Bevan Mahlangu has also told this publication that they were hopeful that the matter would be resolved by Thursday.
“The legal processes tend to have their own mind if you know what I mean,” he said.
“We might be done today because we were adamant that we would be done by the 6th of February. But things took their own turn.
“So we are just hoping that today [Thursday] we can finalise this matter. So whichever team wins can begin to prepare for their match against Orlando Pirates,” he said.
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