Orbit College FC’s PSL Hopes Remain Alive as SAFA Arbitrates Durban City Case

The dream of automatic promotion to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) is not yet over for Orbit College, as the ongoing Durban City player eligibility saga has now landed in the hands of the South African Football Association (SAFA).

On Tuesday, the Premier Soccer League’s Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC), chaired by Raymond Hack, dismissed JDR Stars’ protest that Durban City had fielded an ineligible player – winger Sazi Magawana – during the current National First Division (NFD) season.

JDR Stars, later joined by Cape Town Spurs, insisted that Magawana’s clearance from his former club, Marumo Gallants, was improperly handled. They argue that Durban City should not be recognised as rightful NFD champions and therefore not granted automatic PSL promotion.

Durban City, however, maintain they acquired Magawana through the correct legal processes, securing his release without a transfer fee from Gallants.

With the play-offs looming next week, SAFA now faces pressure to arbitrate and issue a final decision: either uphold the DRC’s ruling or overturn it and retroactively deduct all points from matches in which Magawana featured. Such a decision would significantly alter the NFD log standings and potentially elevate Orbit College FC into the automatic promotion spot.