Durban City Promotion Push Unfazed By Magawana “Controversy”
Durban City remains unfazed by attempts to have them docked points as the Motsepe Foundation Championship season concludes on Sunday.
Sportswire has learned of individuals allegedly working behind the scenes to undermine Durban City and prevent their chairman, Farook Kadodia, from achieving promotion to the top-flight league next season.
The controversy surrounding Saziso Magawana’s eligibility has resurfaced, with claims that he played without the necessary paperwork, leading JDR Stars to reportedly play their match against City under protest.
Allegations suggest that Durban City signed Magawana unlawfully while he was still under contract with Marumo Gallants, who competed in the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season.
Rumours circulate that Magawana was still contracted to Gallants before the club acquired the Premier Division status of Moroka Swallows. It is also being suggested that Magawana should have joined Leruma United, who subsequently purchased Gallants’ National First Division (NFD) status after Gallants bought Swallows’ top-flight status.
However, Durban City officials have assured Sportswire that they possess all the valid and necessary documents for the player, demonstrating that his contract with Gallants had expired at the end of last season.
It has been a challenging season for City, who rebranded from Maritzburg United at the start of the campaign after being displaced from Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg by Royal AM and the Msunduzi municipality. The club relocated to Durban and found a new home at Chatsworth Stadium, where they have only suffered two defeats in the Indian suburb.
Furthermore, Sportswire was informed of alleged attempts by other clubs to bribe Durban City players to throw matches. One player, after the club became aware of the inducement, was reportedly suspended for three weeks. This player, whose identity is known to Sportswire, has recently been reintegrated into the team.
The club also mourned the tragic passing of Sinamandla Zondi, who collapsed on the pitch last month during a match against Milford FC.
Heading into their final game on Sunday against Cape Town Spurs at Athlone Stadium, Simo Dladla’s Durban City requires just a draw to secure promotion to top-flight football.
They currently sit atop the league table with 55 points after 29 matches, three points ahead of second-placed Orbit College. Orbit College would need to score six or more goals in their final match and hope that Spurs defeat Durban City to gain promotion.
Despite these potential obstacles, Durban City’s promotion seems likely, especially considering their history as former National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) champions in 1982 and 1983 under the late former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker.
