Betway Premiership side Marumo Gallants are facing a points deduction over the clearance certificate saga involving talented midfielder Monde Mphambaniso.
The Bloemfontein-based side is entering its second season in South Africa’s top-flight since returning after purchasing the status of Moroka Swallows in July 2024.
After purchasing the status of Swallows, Gallants sold their Motsepe Foundation Championship status to a consortium, which renamed the team Leruma United. In the previous season, Gallants had an inconsistent run in the Premiership after finishing in the bottom half of the league table.
They finished 10th on the log with 32 points in 28 games, after winning eight, drawing eight, and suffering 12 defeats.
CAPE TOWN CITY FC WINS THE ARBITRATION CASE
The Cape Town club filed a case against the Abram Sello-owned team, arguing that the talented midfielder is not cleared from the Gallants team that played in the NFD, which subsequently became Leruma United.
In the arbitration ruling reported by this publication, City alleges that Marumo Gallants violated Rule 31.8.9.3 of the NSL handbook, which requires a clearance certificate to be submitted to the league in cases where a player has previously been registered as a professional with a member club.
CT City have won the case at SAFA’s arbitration, enabling the PSL disciplinary committee to initiate an investigation into Mphambaniso’s eligibility. A winning outcome could lead to their reinstatement and Marumo going to the playoffs.
Mphambaniso made 26 appearances for Marumo last season, and a guilty verdict could result in the club being docked points in the games he participated in.
The Citizens failed to save their status during the PSL Promotional/Relegation Playoffs, which were won by Orbit College. This is their final desperate attempt to maintain their top-flight status.
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