Highlands Park, who initially won the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League title, has suffered relegation to the SAFA Ekurhuleni Regional League following a hefty 62-point deduction. The Lions of North were found guilty of fielding Franklin Ogbonna, who presented fraudulent visa documents.
The controversy revolves around the Nigerian forward, who was discovered using fraudulent study and general work visas in South Africa while actively participating in matches for Highlands Park in the ABC Motsepe League.
According to SAFA competition rules, foreign players may only be registered if they possess a valid study visa.
The former PSL club had clinched the title in the SAFA’s 18-team Gauteng ABC Motsepe League after accumulating 82 points from 34 matches, finishing six points clear of second-placed Gomora United, coached by former Black Leopards coach Johnny Ferreira.
However, the deducted 62 points, stemming from the games Ogbonna played, leaves Highlands Park with only 20 points. Interestingly, the team that finished last, Oppo FC, managed to gather 27 points. This setback means Highlands Park ends up below Oppo FC and is effectively relegated.
As a consequence, Gomora United, finishing second with 74 points, is promoted to first place and will represent Gauteng in the 2024/25 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs.
WHAT THE HIGHLANDS PARK VERDICT SAYS
“Highlands Park Football Club is to forfeit all the soccer matches wherein Mr Chigaeemezu Franklin Ogbonna participated in violation of the provisions of Rule 11.1 and Rule 12.5 of the SAFA Competitions Uniform Rules during the ABC Motsepe league, Gauteng Province in the soccer season 2024/2025,” reads the ruling.
It further directed that “the forfeited points will not be awarded to any soccer team that partook in the identified soccer matches as determined by the South African Football Association Gauteng Province …”
The 28-year-old player’s career in South African football features two stints with Jomo Cosmos. His first dance with Cosmos was in July 2016 before he reunited with them in 2019. He then played for Richards Bay in 2021 and later Hungry Lion before joining Highlands.
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