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The play-offs are a big joke

The play-offs are a big joke

Posted: 2010-02-15 11:12

I have mixed feelings about Black Leopards and Vasco da Gama winning the First Division Inland and Coastal streams respectively.

I’m happy for them because they are both champions, but on the other hand I feel pity for them, because one of the two teams is celebrating too soon. They have to face each other on February 27 and March 7 and the winner of both legs goes to the PSL and the loser will then go to another play-off, which is no reason to celebrate.

But it doesn’t end there. The loser between Leopards and Vasco will then face Mpumalanga Black Aces (because I don’t see them overtaking Bidvest Wits), Nathi Lions and African Warriors for another chance to get to the PSL.

Say for argument’s sake Black Aces win this four-team play-off in the end, it will mean that the loser of the first play-off between Leopards and Vasco will go back to the First Division, after fighting so hard to get to the PSL. This is unfair.

It is madness that these teams had to play each of their opponents in the First Division three times to make it 21 games, finishing top and becoming champions, but then having to play in the play-offs. I still don’t understand why we have the play-offs, instead of automatic promotion. I will never understand it.

I remember sitting for an interview with former PSL general manager Andrew Dipela at the PSL offices in July 2007 and I asked him: ‘Why do we have the play-offs?’ and he said to me and I quote, “The First Division sometimes struggle to acquire the finances needed to run the League. In that case, the PSL teams have agreed that some of the League’s money (PSL) must help to run Mvela and in turn, we must have the play-offs. It is only fair”.

A few minutes later, I walked out very confused.

On my way back to the office I kept thinking that someone’s head at the PSL needs to be examined. The First Division is part and parcel of the PSL anyway and obviously, the PSL is responsible for its finances. With that in mind, if the PSL can’t find a sponsor for the First Division, why punish the First Division teams for your own failures by having the play-offs?

Fast forward to February 2010 and I give PSL CEO Kjetil Siem a call and he says: “There are a couple of reasons why we have the play-offs, but the main reason is geographical! By saying that it means that one of the two streams is not strong like the other one. The runner-up in a specific stream might actually be stronger than the winner of the other stream! By having the play-offs, you will be guaranteed that two stronger teams gain promotion to the PSL,” Siem says.

It looks like the more things change; the more they stay the same…

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Lufuno: 2010-02-15 11:51

This play off are k@k, it shows the incompetency from the PSL. I dont see why one gives geographical reason, it is baash#t, stupid. They don't care of our soccer but of their pockets. Last time my honourable Jomo asks that play off but even today there is no answer and it shows people are looking after their pockets only.

When Supersport won the rights to broadcast matches what we saw was people demanding big bonuses. We lack good leaders in this country's soccer, someone with normal brain. Where can we get someone like Mandela or Nematandani who didn't want to earn money which they don't know where it comes from/ Khoza and his alies must dissapear on our game.

sxivovo: 2010-02-15 13:30

Number 15 and Number 16 from PSL are suppose to be religated and the winners of the inland and the costal stream should both be promoted

bt then again wht will happen if lets say if both of these religated teams are from Costal Region, if the Costa l stream for instance had 8 clubs in the NFD doe it mean they will have 10 Clubs

Does that mean the Inland regions are forced to have 10 clubs as well? then it means they have to promote 2 Clubs from Vodacom!! in their stream.

Honestly I was against these streams from the on-set. PSL and SAFA must find a sponsor for our NFD.

Ike_Wa_Poo!!!: 2010-02-15 17:11

I dont want 2 comment on the topic because I feel its stupid and unfair to have play-offs. Our soccer is going nowhere for as long as we have laeders like these.

@ Tiyani, I will always respect you 4 speaking ur mind. Keep up de good work!!!

Playapresident: 2010-02-15 18:18

if money is a problem ,that commission money R70 million shud have been given to mvela. where is reserve league - parreira ask for dis 3 years ago, we are now in 2010 world cup year!

Tiyani - thank you 4 rasin standard of journalism in dis country, most of your colleague don't question nothing anymore, good enough for match report only. football is for all of us, if adminstrator doesnt makes sense, we question him

TTM: 2010-02-15 21:27

Ike: 2010-02-15 17:11
Thanx, my outie. So where is Pearl by the way? LOL.
Playapresident: 2010-02-15 18:18
Sure, mfowethu. We will never be silenced.

neil: 2010-02-15 21:46

Ja, this is a sad one. I know the guys at Vasco well, Carlos Das Neves was a fantastic midfielder in his day, and loves Vasco, and has worked wonders with them. But he also has an important full time job. Now, hats off to him, and to Leopards for fighting back. If it is Aces in the mix, they might just sneak their way back in at the expense of Vasco or Leopards and it just doesn't add up. What these NFD clubs have achieved, against all odds, deserves more than this.

Botshabelo: 2010-02-16 07:43

I really see the playoff as unfair to teams which won both streams.What's the point of playing for winning your stream and you dont get promotion? may be that's why they dont get sponsorship. Look it seems unimportant. If they want this to i think they must inrease PSL teams to 18. The 1st two get automatic promotion and number 2's in both streams goes through to palyoff with 16 & 15 th positions from PSL. I think the league would be more exciting. The current situation is unfair.

ANTHONY: 2010-02-16 22:05

Whether you rewind or fast foward times the bottom line is that THOSE RUNNING OUR SOCCER ARE STUPID SELFISH FAT CATS who think the rest of us are stupid. The Li Doda Duvha official who sent you a mail is telling the truth that NOONE OBJECTED. MY ENGLISH TEACHER TAUGHT ME THAT NOT OBJECTING DOES NOT AGREEING. They had no choice but not to object OR ELSE....

The other obvious thing that the so called board of governers are turning a blind eye on and they think we will also turn a blind eye (and ear and feelings) is the question of sponsor for the First Division. Nxe...!!!!!! If the fat cats at PSL wee not in soccer to enrich themselves the R70 million they stole (and called it commission) would have come in handy. To start with, which fathers and mothers (unless they are not ok upstairs) will when there is no food at home go next door and ask for food for the older child and say the younger one will fend for himself? My point here is that when the Supersport sponsership was negotiated the first division should have been considered in the deal insteady of commissions to the greed Khozas, Motaungs, and their friends.

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