Cape Town - Newly promoted Premier Soccer League (PSL) club, Polokwane City, have finally put their hands on the National First Division (NFD) trophy they won last season which gained them automatic promotion to the country’s top flight.
PSL Chief executive Officer, Brand De Villiers, handed the rookies their trophy prior to their Premiership clash against Bloemfontein Celtic at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.
The PSL delayed their NFD trophy presentation due to the legal battles instigated by the KZN-based team, Thanda Royal Zulu.
Thanda failed to honour two of their fixtures at the beginning of last season and then went on to finish the season occupying fourth spot, missing out on the national promotional playoffs by a single point.
Thanda then requested the PSL to give them another opportunity to play those two games but the PSL refused to budge. This led to a legal battle, which threatened City’s automatic passage into the PSL.
De Villiers hailed City for their bravery throughout the campaign last season, and also stated they deserved to be in the top flight.
“For a club that went through so much tragedy and pain during that fateful afternoon in November last year, we have to applaud Polokwane City for their tenacity and determination to succeed,” De Villiers told the PSL website.
“I hope this trophy will be a motivation to them as they embark on life in the Premier Division.”
Polokwane City chairperson Johnny Mogaladi also shared his delights and dedicated their NFD triumph to the four players who died in a tragic accident.
“We are very delighted to be receiving this trophy in front of our home crowd and especially in our first Absa Premiership home match. It is a special moment which we cherish as the club and management. We dedicate this trophy to the four boys we lost in a tragic accident after our home match, our dedicated supporters and the people of Limpopo Province.”
City had a disappointing start to the PSL, suffering the back-to-back defeats at the hands of Maritzburg united, 1-0, away from home and Celtic, 3-2, at home.
PSL Chief executive Officer, Brand De Villiers, handed the rookies their trophy prior to their Premiership clash against Bloemfontein Celtic at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.
The PSL delayed their NFD trophy presentation due to the legal battles instigated by the KZN-based team, Thanda Royal Zulu.
Thanda failed to honour two of their fixtures at the beginning of last season and then went on to finish the season occupying fourth spot, missing out on the national promotional playoffs by a single point.
Thanda then requested the PSL to give them another opportunity to play those two games but the PSL refused to budge. This led to a legal battle, which threatened City’s automatic passage into the PSL.
De Villiers hailed City for their bravery throughout the campaign last season, and also stated they deserved to be in the top flight.
“For a club that went through so much tragedy and pain during that fateful afternoon in November last year, we have to applaud Polokwane City for their tenacity and determination to succeed,” De Villiers told the PSL website.
“I hope this trophy will be a motivation to them as they embark on life in the Premier Division.”
Polokwane City chairperson Johnny Mogaladi also shared his delights and dedicated their NFD triumph to the four players who died in a tragic accident.
“We are very delighted to be receiving this trophy in front of our home crowd and especially in our first Absa Premiership home match. It is a special moment which we cherish as the club and management. We dedicate this trophy to the four boys we lost in a tragic accident after our home match, our dedicated supporters and the people of Limpopo Province.”
City had a disappointing start to the PSL, suffering the back-to-back defeats at the hands of Maritzburg united, 1-0, away from home and Celtic, 3-2, at home.