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Time for SA soccer bosses to wake up and smell the coffee

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) executive committee deserves a pat in the back for their decision to decline AmaZulu FC's application to acquire the Mpumalanga Black Aces' status.

The deal was an ill-conceived one from the onset.

Not only would it have shown the middle finger to the people of Mpumalanga who support Aces, but would have made a mockery of the PSL's promotion and relegation process.

In case you have just crawled out from a rock somewhere, AmaZulu - who will be campaigning in the National First Division (NFD) after being relegated from the Absa Premiership as a result of finishing last in the 16-team league - made a bid to buy Aces' status.

That Amazayoni (as Aces are known)  even considered the offer - mouthwatering as it was if the reported figure of R82 million is correct - says a lot about their management.

However, the PSL's decision must have a number of lessons for AmaZulu.

One: They must know that matches are won on the field and not to rely on millions to retain your status.

Two: If they had that kind of money, it boggles the mind why they did not spend it in buying quality players to keep them afloat in the premiership.

Now, they must just do it the hard way by trying to fight their way back.

For the PSL, this must serve as a wake-up call that if they don't change their rules, there will always be a loophole for people to find their way to the elite league via the backdoor.

AmaZulu were doomed to be relegated with the way they played last season. The same goes for Moroka Swallows.

And all fingers point to poor management.

Incidentally, both clubs had Craig Roslee as a coach this past season and now he holds the unpalatable record of being the first mentor to relegate two clubs in one season.

He might argue that by the time he joined Swallows, the damage had already been done. The counter argument would be that he should have turned down the Swallows job if he thought it was an impossible task.

Secondly, some would point out that he even failed when given the  second chance to save the club via the dreaded NFD playoffs.

At this stage, he was faced with two NFD sides in Jomo Cosmos and Black Leopards where Ezenkosi emerged victorious.

Which brings me to another point.

Now that the PSL management has managed to score some kudos with this decision, how about revisiting this crazy playoff set-up?

I mean, what would be more unfair than to give the club that finishes 15th in the Absa Premiership a chance to retain their status at the expense of the one that finishes second in the NFD.

That justice was done in the end as Cosmos emerged triumphant after the sham, is not good enough. Can you imagine the grumblings we would  still be hearing from Jomo Sono had his side - who finished as runners up in the NFD - missed on promotion to Swallows or Leopards (who came third in the NFD).

It is indeed time our football bosses woke up and smelled the coffee.

S’Busiso Mseleku is regarded as one of Africa's leading sports journalists and an authority on football. He has received some of the biggest awards in a career spanning well over 20 years. He is currently City Press Sports Editor.

Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.

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