For a short while the road seemed a tad bit brighter for Chippa United with the relegation of Cape Town teams proving a sore point for the Western Cape.
An uneventful goalless draw saw the Chilli Boys hand Mpumalanga Black Aces the last spot in the Absa Premiership. Starting the match the stronger side, it seemed inevitable that Chippa’s need to win and excel would manifest itself into spectacular finishes into the back of the net.
Chippa United entered the PSL Promotion/ Relegation Play Offs with the kind of fight we all wished Ajax Cape Town had, leading many to believe they might just survive a second season in the PSL and overcome every challenge experienced this season.
All hope was crushed and each attempt at breaking Black Aces was diminished to school boy football. Chippa struggled to create chances, a common denominator in the club’s fall from grace this season. Managerial problems, player attitudes and involvement from external sources led to unforeseen problems and a drop in morale within the camp.
Outgoing coach, Mark Harrison, has made no secret that he has no intention of continuing the road less travelled. He says he does not see himself coaching in the National First Division, calling the NFD a poor league, with poor referees and poor linesman. That said; if the officials have contributed to Chippa United’s demise; or promotion of the club as PSL debutants, how is performance by players assessed?
It is questionable as well as convenient for a well-known coach to criticise officials in the media, which can be attributed to disrespect and misplaced blame. He did however state that the team let themselves down and the inability of strikers to finish, as reasons for their relegation.
Some players believe that the uncertainty surrounding the play offs and the pending appeals at the start of the play offs were a distraction. At the time the Promotion/ Relegation Play Offs kicked off, there were two cases pending, and there was hope that one fell in favour of Chippa, meaning a replay of games.
But unfortunately, this was not to be, as the PSL welcomed a decision made on 18 June by the South Gauteng High Court to refer the application brought by Thanda Royal Zulu to arbitration. Thanda Royal Zulu disputed a ruling by the PSL that all boycotted NFD matches will not be replayed, with no points awarded for those matches. The court ruled in favour of Thanda Royal Zulu, finding the arbitration process was flawed and that the PSL should find a new arbitrator. This meant that all Promotion/ Relegation Play Off match results were valid.
With the performance of Chippa United throughout the PSL season, relegation was inevitable, whether now or another time. It is safe to say that the team needs to ply their trade and work at the skills which are lacking. If not, Chippa could mimic Vasco Da Gama, who went down without a fight and stayed down. With hope, determination and hard work, there might be another chance for Chippa United to shine in the PSL.
About the author: Gracia Michaels is a freelance sports writer, SAFA Cape Town football referee, former footballer and works full time in media monitoring. Follow her on Twitter @Gracia_Michaels