Football fans have been waiting anxiously for the day that Polokwane City are finally handed their trophy for winning promotion to the PSL. That's if they will ever get the opportunity to feel that moment.
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It was May 19, two months ago, when the club deservedly won promotion to the PSL after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Roses United. I say 'deservedly' because the team triumphed on the field, where a football game should be won.
But it seems that the club will have to wait a little longer to celebrate what is theirs. Why? Is it because the team never got discouraged, despite the challenges they experienced earlier in the 2012/13 season.
We mustn't forget that this is the same team that lost not one or two, but four players while travelling from a football game. Isn't that devastating enough? Benjamin Nthete, Khomotso Mpakatesane, Mojalefa Mphuthi and Koketso Takalo all died, after the team bus they were travelling in from the game against FC AK in November was involved in an accident.
May their souls rest in peace!
This is the same team that had their games withheld to allow the management, technical team, players, fans, and everyone associated with the club, time to recover from the shock of losing some of their own.
The fact that Duncan Lechesa and his team did not make noise on their way to triumph mustn't deceive people about the club's efforts of ensuring success. But the chaos surrounding the National First Division (NFD) at the moment is a shame for South African football to say the least. It is the first time that I have ever seen a football season ending with clubs on a different number of games played.
Is that fair? No, I don't think so! If you say the clubs were at fault, why wasn't the issue solved earlier. The latest we hear is that the judgment relating to the arbitration process involving Thanda Royal Zulu is expected on July 24.
"The PSL will not make any further comment on the matter," the league said in a statement.
The coaches and players work hard hoping to achieve the goals they set when the season begins. It saddens me to see what they have to go through sometimes, because of the troubles that have become of regular occurrence in football.
Imagine what would happen if the decision that will be taken in the Thanda matter would go against this club. Am I the only one thinking about that? The past season will go down as one of the worst ever in the history of this country's football.
On the same topic, I would like to congratulate Mpumalanga Black Aces for making it back to the PSL. It has been a difficult two seasons for AmaZayoni in the NFD, since their relegation at the end of the 2010/11 season.
Mario and George Morfou have invested a lot in the club, and it would have been stressful for them to see the team staying in the NFD after everything they have gone through. Gordon Masondo, Jacob Sakala, Lifa Gqosha and the entire team did fantastically well to achieve success for the benefit of the blue and white faithful.
But it's unfortunate that, like City, Aces could still be dragged into the matter depending on the outcome of the arbitration. Speaking to Chippa United officials recently, one could feel their confidence on the possibility that the play-offs may start all over again.This is the same Chippa that has been relegated to the NFD after the PSL's Relegation/Promotion Play-offs against Aces and Santos respectively.
The beautiful game turned ugly this past season.
The Chilli Boys tried to make a dispute of their own when they went to the Western Cape High Court in an attempt to stop the play-offs, having already played some of the games.
I think many will agree with me when I say that football is pleasant when we watch players showcase their skills on the field. Nothing else!
By Masebe Qina
Follow Masebe on Twitter: @Sebes17