National First Division club bosses have fought a good fight. And they have won.
This follows the National Soccer League (NSL) Board of Governors (BoG) decision to ratify
the change in the controversial NFD U23 players’s policy.
Eastern Cape’s only NFD representative, Mthatha Bucks, have welcomed the change, saying it will go a long way in helping them to improve on last season.
The old rule forced all NFD clubs to have at least five South African-born U23 players in the 11-man starting line-up for all league matches.
This did not go down well with NFD club owners, who said it was unfair to impose age-restrictions for almost half the starting line-up.
The NSL BoG has since succumbed to the NFD clubs’ demands and relaxed the U23 ruling.
The new rule reads: “Clubs participating in the National First Division must include in the team sheet for every match a minimum of five players who are both U23 and eligible to represent South Africa. A minimum of two U23 players must be on the field at all times during a match.”
Bucks chief operating officer, Lunga Tukute, was over the moon, saying the new rule has brought the Mthatha-based club relief.
Tukute said much as the old rule was put in place to promote development, it was unfair for it to be imposed on a professional league.
“There are amateur leagues such as the ABC Motsepe League, the SAB Regional League and the MDC (Multichoice Diski Challenge),” said Tukute.
The problem Bucks had with the amended rule was that it put NFD clubs in an impossible position of having to crisscross the country trying to find U23 players.
“And believe you me, there are very few U23 players who are ready to play in the NFD.”
It was better now that they will have to field at least two in every match, as opposed to five.
Bucks were covered in this regard, as they believe their U23s from last season had come of age and have reinforced the squad with two additional players, who come from the Bloemfontein Celtic fold.
The amendment was agreed upon in October during an NSL BoG meeting, but the public announcement had to wait until the amendment was effected in the NSL handbook.
Bucks kick off their 2016-17 league campaign with a home clash against Stellenbosch FC (formerly Vasco Da Gama) at the Mthatha Stadium on Saturday afternoon. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
Bucks give thumbs up for player rule change
This follows the National Soccer League (NSL) Board of Governors (BoG) decision to ratify
the change in the controversial NFD U23 players’s policy.
Eastern Cape’s only NFD representative, Mthatha Bucks, have welcomed the change, saying it will go a long way in helping them to improve on last season.
The old rule forced all NFD clubs to have at least five South African-born U23 players in the 11-man starting line-up for all league matches.
This did not go down well with NFD club owners, who said it was unfair to impose age-restrictions for almost half the starting line-up.
The NSL BoG has since succumbed to the NFD clubs’ demands and relaxed the U23 ruling.
The new rule reads: “Clubs participating in the National First Division must include in the team sheet for every match a minimum of five players who are both U23 and eligible to represent South Africa. A minimum of two U23 players must be on the field at all times during a match.”
Bucks chief operating officer, Lunga Tukute, was over the moon, saying the new rule has brought the Mthatha-based club relief.
Tukute said much as the old rule was put in place to promote development, it was unfair for it to be imposed on a professional league.
“There are amateur leagues such as the ABC Motsepe League, the SAB Regional League and the MDC (Multichoice Diski Challenge),” said Tukute.
The problem Bucks had with the amended rule was that it put NFD clubs in an impossible position of having to crisscross the country trying to find U23 players.
“And believe you me, there are very few U23 players who are ready to play in the NFD.”
It was better now that they will have to field at least two in every match, as opposed to five.
Bucks were covered in this regard, as they believe their U23s from last season had come of age and have reinforced the squad with two additional players, who come from the Bloemfontein Celtic fold.
The amendment was agreed upon in October during an NSL BoG meeting, but the public announcement had to wait until the amendment was effected in the NSL handbook.
Bucks kick off their 2016-17 league campaign with a home clash against Stellenbosch FC (formerly Vasco Da Gama) at the Mthatha Stadium on Saturday afternoon. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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