BIZANA- Sinenkani Football Club(FC) management and players are focused on fulfilling their mandate of going to the provincial play-offs regardless of a pending case, which involves them and Ravens Football Club who are the champions of their stream thus far. The beleaguered Bizana based ABC Motsepe League side find themselves in and out of South African Football Association’s(SAFA)offices and courts in persuit of what they term as justice.
This after their controversial match, dubbed Bizana derby against Ravens FC, which they lost 1-0 left everyone with questions, the match which was played at Mphuthumi Mafumbatha Sports Complex in Bizana was marred with questionable referee decisions and off-field violence after the final whistle.It is alleged that the match commissioner on the day is the father of one of Ravens’ players, which Sinenkani find perculia in terms of impartiality on the day.
After attempts to seek justice from SAFA Eastern Cape and the nation football body, the ‘Stubborn Nation’ took the matter to a court of law.
Club communications officer Lixolile Petela revealed that they are disturbed by the delays of their case, however they are looking for justice. “As the Stubborn Nation we are not happy at all with the issue of case delays, it’s really disturbing, but we determined to see justice prevailing in this matter,” he alluded.
With everything happening, football lovers in the province have been starved of some action as one side between Ravens and Sinenkani still has to play the decider against Amavarara Football Club.
The said decider match had to be postponed because of SAFA and court cases regarding the matter, which has delayed everything. “Though there have been delays, we are not deterred by the situation. Even the players are reeling to go as they are training, and the spirit is still high in the camp. They know that this is no longer about us, but persuit for justice”, he added.
With all the battles taking places in offices and in courts, the club is adamant that they will play in the decider match and subsequently go represent the province on national play-offs.
Furthermore Patela emphasized that, “We are still positive about going to the play-offs and reach the ‘promised land’, that dream can never diminish while we are still alive. We urge our supporters to be patient, we know this matter is tiring, we are also exhausted but let them know that we are fighting for justice”, he concluded.
With SAFA national office having summoned Sinenkani to the SAFA house in Nasrec, after the court judgement had been reserved it is expected that a ruling may come out this month.
Photograph: Sinenkani FC/Supplied
Wonga Sirayi
26 May 2025
