Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has stated he is consulting his legal team to determine if they have grounds to halt the match between SuperSport United and Golden Arrows scheduled for Thursday at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

However, Comitis appeared to acknowledge the weakness of his position, suggesting the game might proceed as planned. This is because Arrows were reportedly within their rights to refuse to play the abandoned match the following day, as they were not at fault for the abandonment.

The match, originally intended to mark legendary coach Gavin Hunt’s 1000th career game in February, was abandoned before the second half began due to load-shedding in Pretoria. SuperSport, as the home team, was deemed responsible for the abandonment as they did not have a generator prepared for immediate use.

Despite this, the game has been rescheduled for Thursday. Both clubs and the PSL have confirmed that only the second half will be played, with the score standing at 1-1 from the first half.

This replay is set to occur after Cape Town City has already completed their allocated 28 matches for the season. The club currently sits 14th in the Betway Premiership table with 27 points. This situation places the Cape Town club at a disadvantage, as SuperSport only needs a draw in the second half to move up the table, potentially dragging City into a playoff spot.

“The game will probably go on, and it is irrelevant because if you challenge it and the decision is changed, that game will not count,” Comitis told Sportswire.

“That is where we are. But according to FIFA rules, we have every right to challenge the decision that has been made. They can play the game, and it says in the FIFA rules, even if a situation like this occurs and the game happens, but if the decision is contrary to the original decision, then that game will need to be nullified.”

This incident marks the second PSL game abandoned due to load-shedding this season, with the other being between Magesi and Chippa United. However, unlike the SuperSport and Arrows fixture, the Magesi and Chippa match was replayed within 48 hours.

When asked why the SuperSport and Arrows game wasn’t played the following day, Comitis explained: “Golden Arrows had the right to refuse to play the replay [the following day], and they had a strong case to win three points [via the boardroom]. Why couldn’t they take the game to an appeal? They stopped because they don’t need the points anymore.”

He continued, “Golden Arrows had the rights, after the decision was made to replay, to take it on appeal. But at that stage, they didn’t need the points anymore. They didn’t bother. Respectfully, it was a prime opportunity for Arrows because that was the right decision to get the points.

“You could never blame Arrows about the decision because they would have said, ‘Listen, let’s take the points, we lost it in the case, we went to the appeal, and we won it on appeal,’ and so they did the right thing. Now, they have backed out because they have got the points after beating Sekhukhune United [on Saturday, ensuring their safety from relegation]. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth.”

With the game proceeding on Thursday and now beyond City’s control if a replay is ordered, Comitis was asked about his hopes regarding the final outcome.

“We are taking the matter under review with my legal team, and we will make some determination about that,” said Comitis. “Arrows and Chippa [in the 2022/23 season] and Magesi and Chippa – the latter was played within 48 hours, and why was this one not played within 48 hours?

“I tell you why – those two games were force majeure. It means it was beyond their control. This was an omission by the home team without a generator; end of story. Let’s not dwell on it; let me do what I have to do, let’s keep our heads forward.”

He concluded with a defiant stance: “The team is ready. If we have to go to the playoffs, we will go to them and we will fight and we will try to remain in the PSL.”