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PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza has challenged NFD clubs to market their own league if the second-tier structure is to reap similar benefits to those being enjoyed by the MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC), which receives sponsorship and regular television coverage.
Khoza was speaking to City Press shortly after a launch, held on Thursday, to reconfigure the MDC into a fully-fledged programme that will see the reserve league play over two rounds – 30 matches each for the 16 teams – in an extended season.
In contrast, the NFD has been running without sponsorship for years, and only a handful of its matches have aired live on TV – mostly the promotion play-offs.
But in the PSL’s defence, Khoza argued that the developments relating to the MDC should not be interpreted in a way that suggests the league was not doing enough to raise the profile of the NFD.
“There is nothing in the PSL rules that says we must give grants to the NFD. We are doing a gesture of ubuntu because we want to improve the product. It’s in our interest as the PSL to do so, but it is not an obligation. The NFD itself must make sure its league is attractive. The NFD knows the extra mile we go to assist it,” he said.
NFD clubs get R500 000 in monthly grants – but, unlike the MDC, which has its own knockout competition called the Shield Challenge, only eight of the first division sides undergo a qualification round to enter the Nedbank Cup.
“We are also saying to the NFD: ‘Come and spend the money to make sure you spend less time in the first division and go into the premier division.’ We do everything to help the NFD. Even in our invitation to tender, the issues relating to this division are included as part of the broadcast packages. Hence, the play-offs are shown on TV,” Khoza said.
“It’s the first time this year that they could not win the play-offs, because that was our selling point – that there is quality there,” Khoza added, referring to the ongoing play-offs after Maritzburg United managed to retain their Absa Premiership status at the expense of two NFD sides: Royal Eagles and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.
Khoza, who is also the chairperson of Orlando Pirates, noted some of the to-ing and fro-ing involved in efforts to improve the NFD, citing an attempt by club owners in the first division to make the structure a stand-alone entity.
“At some point, the owners said they wanted to run the NFD on their own. We agreed, but then they changed their minds. However, we are also talking to sponsors as we move on. That’s why we came up with the initiative of the Under-23 Rule [whereby clubs are required to have at least two Under-23 players on the field of play throughout a game]. We were hoping to make it a selling point, but the clubs now want us to reconsider. We haven’t made a decision yet, but we are listening,” he said.
Despite the current situation, Khoza said the NFD “will sooner or later get a sponsor if they maintain momentum”.
PSL plans to strengthen judiciary arm
Khoza acknowledged the challenges and embarrassment that the PSL endured in the recently concluded campaign, where backlogs with regard to disciplinary matters and drawn-out legal cases overshadowed the final of the Absa Premiership title race. He said the PSL had decided to increase its pool of prosecutors to avoid delays.
“As the league, we are trying to make sure we conduct matters as transparently as possible. To this end, we are going to have a number of disciplinary committee chairpersons and prosecutors to ensure that there are no more delays.”
When asked by City Press about the future of current PSL prosecutor Nande Becker, all Khoza would say was: “Watch this space.”
The most controversial delay was that involving Mamelodi Sundowns, who were found guilty by the PSL disciplinary committee for using an ineligible player, Wayne Arendse, in the team’s 1-1 draw against Bidvest Wits in October.
The case was finalised seven months later and coincided with Sundowns and Pirates running neck-and-neck in the race for the championship, with just a few weeks to go.
The PSL then drew the ire of many when it challenged the decision of its own disciplinary committee, which had only imposed a monetary fine on Downs. The league felt the docking of points would be a more appropriate sanction.
Khoza, however, lashed out at the insinuation that the move was to benefit his team, Pirates, which finished two points behind Downs in the final premiership standings.
“I am disappointed as chairperson of the league that we are being insulted by things that are discussed openly and transparently,” he said angrily. “We run football on rules that are there for everybody to understand.”
He made reference to the drawn-out 2017/18 legal case over Tendai Ndoro, whose eligibility was contested on the grounds that his former club, Ajax Cape Town, had flouted Fifa rules by fielding him when the striker had played for three different clubs in the same calendar year.
“After the Ndoro matter was settled in court, a judgment covered the issue of ineligibility,” said Khoza.
“It spoke of the issue of principle. Even in this case, it’s an issue of principle. So, what do you mean by eligibility?” he said in reference to the Arendse saga, adding: “Fifa rules are quite clear in their hierarchy of authority.”
. Meanwhile, Maritzburg United beat Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 2-1 thanks to goals from Mohau Mokate, while Thembisani Nevhulamba pulled one back in the 88th minute in yesterday’s NFD promotional/relegation play-off match at Harry Gwala Stadium. United retained their Absa Premiership status with a 100% record in their play-off matches.
