EASTERN Cape National Second Division soccer outfit Tembu Royals can finally continue with their plans for the giant- killing mission in the Nedbank Cup competition after the PSL gave them Friday as the date for their clash against Maritzburg United.
Royals were embroiled in a dispute after AmaZulu filed a protest with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) accusing the Mthatha-based side of using an ineligible player in their 2-1 defeat in the last 32 of the competition.
AmaZulu challenged Royals for fielding Zukisa Ginya, who they accused of using documents of his young brother who plays for Prides in the East London Local Football Association.
Ginya scored the second goal that took Royals through to the last 16 of the competition.
However after the deliberation, the Safa arbitration committee dis missed the protest with costs, clear ing the way for Royals to face United at Mthatha Stadium on Friday.
PSL general manager of football, Derek Blanckensee, thanked both Tembu Royals and Maritzburg Unit ed for their cooperation in ensuring the fixture was played soon.
“We are glad the arbitration pro cess is over and we can now focus again on the Nedbank Cup,” said Blanckensee
“Credit should go to both teams who worked closely with the PSL to find a speedy solution when we were discussing the new date.”
The PSL said the kickoff would be 8pm, adding fans who purchased tickets for the original fixture ini tially scheduled for March 17 will be able to use them on Friday.
Royals general manager Fikile Ji jana could not conceal his delight with the arbitration ruling and its outcome.
“We maintained our innocence since this protest was filed but some people took an opportunity to vilify us,” he said.
“We were labelled cheats and oth er names but we are happy we have been cleared although our name has been dragged through the mud.”
Royals claimed they signed the player from Tornado as Zukisa Ginya, with the Mdantsane side con firming they signed the player from Future Stars who play in the Castle league.
Several clubs have come forward revealing the player’s real name as Zola and claiming to know him as a pupil at one of the Idutywa schools.
However, sources reveal that al though the identity of the player was still questionable, the arbitration committee felt Royals could not be blamed as they also got the player Zukisa from another club.
Although delighted with the out come, Jijana insisted the negative publicity has adversely affected Ginya so much he is unlikely to play on Friday.
“We are giving the boy some pro fessional help to deal with the mat ter but it is unlikely he will be able to play on Friday,” said Jijana.
Yesterday (Mon), the PSL conducted the draw for the quarterfinal berth of the competition with the winner be tween United and Royals pitted against SuperSport United at home.
Jijana, who does not doubt his side will be the one playing SuperSport, was not too pleased at gaining pos sible home-ground advantage in the quarterfinals.
“We would have preferred to be drawn away after our game against Maritzburg because it costs us so much to organise a game with catering and all those logistics.”
Green light for Royals
Royals were embroiled in a dispute after AmaZulu filed a protest with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) accusing the Mthatha-based side of using an ineligible player in their 2-1 defeat in the last 32 of the competition.
AmaZulu challenged Royals for fielding Zukisa Ginya, who they accused of using documents of his young brother who plays for Prides in the East London Local Football Association.
Ginya scored the second goal that took Royals through to the last 16 of the competition.
However after the deliberation, the Safa arbitration committee dis missed the protest with costs, clear ing the way for Royals to face United at Mthatha Stadium on Friday.
PSL general manager of football, Derek Blanckensee, thanked both Tembu Royals and Maritzburg Unit ed for their cooperation in ensuring the fixture was played soon.
“We are glad the arbitration pro cess is over and we can now focus again on the Nedbank Cup,” said Blanckensee
“Credit should go to both teams who worked closely with the PSL to find a speedy solution when we were discussing the new date.”
The PSL said the kickoff would be 8pm, adding fans who purchased tickets for the original fixture ini tially scheduled for March 17 will be able to use them on Friday.
Royals general manager Fikile Ji jana could not conceal his delight with the arbitration ruling and its outcome.
“We maintained our innocence since this protest was filed but some people took an opportunity to vilify us,” he said.
“We were labelled cheats and oth er names but we are happy we have been cleared although our name has been dragged through the mud.”
Royals claimed they signed the player from Tornado as Zukisa Ginya, with the Mdantsane side con firming they signed the player from Future Stars who play in the Castle league.
Several clubs have come forward revealing the player’s real name as Zola and claiming to know him as a pupil at one of the Idutywa schools.
However, sources reveal that al though the identity of the player was still questionable, the arbitration committee felt Royals could not be blamed as they also got the player Zukisa from another club.
Although delighted with the out come, Jijana insisted the negative publicity has adversely affected Ginya so much he is unlikely to play on Friday.
“We are giving the boy some pro fessional help to deal with the mat ter but it is unlikely he will be able to play on Friday,” said Jijana.
Yesterday (Mon), the PSL conducted the draw for the quarterfinal berth of the competition with the winner be tween United and Royals pitted against SuperSport United at home.
Jijana, who does not doubt his side will be the one playing SuperSport, was not too pleased at gaining pos sible home-ground advantage in the quarterfinals.
“We would have preferred to be drawn away after our game against Maritzburg because it costs us so much to organise a game with catering and all those logistics.”
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