Chippa’s Premier Soccer League promotion almost done and dusted

Chippa United will go through the formality of rubber-stamping their return to the DStv Premiership in the final scheduled promotion/relegation playoff match against Royal AM on Wednesday.

Kickoff at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is slated for 3pm.

With Royal AM having boycotted all of their matches in the playoffs so far — including a scheduled clash against Richards Bay on Monday afternoon — it is almost certain that this game will produce another walkover.

The club are in a legal wrangle with the Premier Soccer League (PSL), arguing that they should be reinstated at the top of the GladAfrica Championship — and have automatic promotion to the top flight — ahead of Sekhukhune United.

A PSL disciplinary committee will decide the way forward once the formalities of Wednesday’s match have been observed.

But with Chippa United having taken four points from the two playoff matches against Bay which were completed — a 2-1 win on June 19 and 1-1 draw this past Saturday — their top-flight status has been all but officially secured.

“We played a very difficult game,” Chippa coach Lehlohonolo Seema stated in the wake of the draw with the Nata Rich Boyz.

“Richards Bay knew that if they won this match they stood a very good chance of getting promotion, hence we had to box smart.

“We never underestimated them.

“We have all seen how good they are and they pushed us to the limit, but of course our experience came through and I think it’s what helped us in the end.

“This game was not about playing good football, it was just about us getting results, so that we can give ourselves a chance of staying in the premier league.

“I am happy with the performance of the guys, especially the fight and the determination; to keep their nerves calm throughout all this time since the start of the playoffs.

“They have really been professionals and I am happy about that.

“We are also happy that we have fought to live another day in the premier league, and hopefully we will start better and make sure we don’t find ourselves in the same situation again.” — Supersport.com