Bloemfontein Celtic’s pursuit for a return to the PSL has been dealt a huge blow following developments in the Free State.
This comes after D’General FC, their biggest rivals, won a case against them in the SAFA Free State ABC Motsepe League. The two teams were competing in the provincial Stream A.
The case was about a protest of players not having smart cards/IDs when the side played against Dikgosi FC. Celtic were initially declared the SAFA Free State Stream A winners following their 2-2 draw with BFN Young Tigers at home on Wednesday, 20 March 2024.
Siwelele finished top of the table with 38 points, just a point ahead of second-placed D’General. Celtic were supposed to face Stream B winners Mangaung Unite in the provincial playoffs on Sunday, 28 April 2024. However, the playoffs were called off due to the pending case.
NEW DATE FOR PROVINCIAL PLAYOFFS CONFIRMED
After D’General won the case, the side leapfrogged Celtic and will now face Mangaung in the provincial playoffs. SAFA Free State have already confirmed the date for the playoffs [19 May 2024].
The winner of the provincial playoffs match will represent Free State at the upcoming ABC Motsepe League national playoffs set to be held in the Northern Cape next month.
Siwelele had hoped that the arbitration outcome would favour them. Over the weekend, they played a friendly game against Orlando Pirates Reserve, which is part of Bloemfontein Celtic’s pursuit of returning to the PSL. This is in preparation for the provincial playoffs.
TEAMS QUALIFIED FOR ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE NATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Five teams have secured their ABC Motsepe League national playoff spots so far: Thames FC [North West], FN Rangers [Western Cape], Dondol Stars [Gauteng], Njampela FC [KwaZulu-Natal], and Kruger United [Mpumalanga].
However, winners are still undecided in Limpopo, Northern Cape, Free State, and Eastern Cape due to pending cases.
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