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MTN8 switch to help Amajita

MTN8 switch to help Amajita

Posted: 2009-09-14 13:50

The PSL have moved the MTN8 Final between Ajax Cape Town and Golden Arrows back by almost a month to accommodate the national Under-20 team.

The Final was set for September 26, but has now been moved to October 24 after Ajax threatened to withdraw five of their players – Thulani Serero, Thulani Hlatshwayo, George Maluleke, Sameehg Doutie and Tawfeeq Sallie – from the Amajita squad to participate in the Under-20 World Cup, which starts on September 24.
 
“Because the tournament is not part of the Fifa International Calendar, Ajax Cape Town were well within their rights to withdraw the players from the squad, but we as the League and Cup Committee felt that it’s best that they travel to Egypt,” PSL General Manager: Football  Ace Ncobo says.
 
“We encouraged Ajax Cape Town to release their players with the proviso that we re-schedule the MTN8 Final to 24 October 2009. It’s part of our good working relationship with Safa, but at the same time, the players will also be the major beneficiaries.”
 
MTN are also behind the decision, with Dudley Zikhali, Sponsorship Manager: Football, saying: “We fully support Ajax in their decision to release the five players called up for the Under-20 World Cup as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the young soccer players – they won’t be under 20 forever.
 
“Together with the PSL and the Cup Committee, obliging to move the MTN8 Final as a result of this scenario is the smallest contribution we can make to the development of the country’s future national team players.”
 
Ajax CEO John Comitis was understandably happy with the latest developments, saying: “Ajax is happy that the PSL and the sponsors MTN have shown their support for our junior national team by agreeing to move the Wafa Wafa final to a later date.”
 
Ncobo had some tough juggling acts on his hand in an already congested fixture schedule. In order to accommodate the MTN8 Final on October 24, he has made the following amendments to the schedule:  All Absa Premiership Fixtures scheduled for the 24th and 25th October will move to the 26th and 27th September. All Absa Premiership Matches scheduled for 28th October will moves to 30 September
 
Fans in possession of tickets for 26 September 2009 can use them on 24 October 2009.

Comment on this article:

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Proffesor: 2009-09-14 13:54

nice

Fuze 1: 2009-09-14 14:02

Haibo, poor planning and this should no longer be called Top 8 club competition if it is going to take place after 8-9 PSL matches aready played, but we are talking about last season. I strongly believe that it is poor thinking to stop everything for only two teams in the final by PSL. They fear to apply their minds in terms of adjusting games for those teams. For me it as very easy exercise, and MTN 8 final should have played long time ago, and now the vibe is gone now. We are now concerning about whether our teams will win the league or (for those in trouble )will be relegated.

Sifiso: 2009-09-14 14:33

This poor planning is really costing some of us..I was being a good supporter,bought my tickets early for the 26th,I won't be available on the 24th for the game,now what do I do with my tickets..or I should take it as my loss??????With PSL,you can nver be sure until the last day,may be they going to move it to Dbn or Bloem..who knows.

Thulaganyo: 2009-09-14 15:05

It's an all MTN affair...

COSATU: 2009-09-14 15:21

Whats the view of G.A or SAFA is taking another desecion without consulting Arrowz.
Ajax will be asking for their PSL games to be pospone due to more than 3 players @ u20

Mzilikazi: 2009-09-14 15:40

What if the final went ahead and Ajax refused to release their players and as a result Amajita perform badly? will the public not blame the PSL, clubs, MTN for making the final go ahead?
What if Ajax withold the players and the players turn on the club for frustrating their ambition regarding their national team ambition and especially if this compromises them with the Olympic 2012 in the horizon?
Who knew that Ajax are going to be in the MTN8 final? if it were any other team they would have lost one player as most team don't have youngsters in their ranks? so are you punishing Ajax for believing in youth?
This is a good decision for the sake of the national game and as hard as it is it is the right one.

Mk Mjukutya: 2009-09-14 15:42

Oh what a poor PSL, now the guyz are dancing on John Comitis music including that Turkish Big Chicken Coach. Is PSL trying to console or compromise with Comitis of always complaining about certain teams given some favours. What if it was Pirates with other team Mr. Comitis? I wish Manqoba can teach a strong lesson to these Ajax stubbon guyz.

Thabo: 2009-09-14 15:46

Doc my btother we need people like you in this forum the point you've just raised should make reporteers at Kikoff to hang themselves in shame for failing to spot that the mere fact that Ajax has five players in Amajita squad entitles them to ask the PSl to postpone their fixtures. It would have been very interesting to hear what would would have Ngcobo's reaction to that,Kickoff reporters get on the phone.

Mzilikazi: 2009-09-14 15:55

correction Thibos, Ajax cannot postpone this fixture becuase of the 5 players they have in Amajita. This U/20 World Cup is not covered under that FIFA provision! All this was discretionary on the part of the clubs and league

Sechaba: 2009-09-14 16:26

i don't think we should have two rounds on Semi final bcoz is wasting a lot of time.

Ntsika: 2009-09-14 16:27

In light of the fixture congesion that we are all aware of, I think this is a Bad move A VERY BAD ONE...!!! but worse has happend in the PSL (i.e 1998 Bob Save Super Bowl final between Pirates and Sundowns).... When MTN8 games are played, Why is it that league games are not played???


Lets just hope that the under 2o team does us proud at the world championships.

Wonder : 2009-09-14 17:33

The mismanagement of the Psl continues...!!!

EL PRINCO: 2009-09-14 17:43

These are the teams who are supposed to battle it out for this cup not big clubs like Kaizer Chiefs...its a ridiculous success!

Diego: 2009-10-02 01:18

good decision,
it´ll be better for my team(arrows)
go arrows go go!