How Cape Town City just threw the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League season into chaos and handed Kaizer Chiefs a Top 8 lifeline

In an unexpected twist, just days before the scheduled start of the 2025/26 season, Cape Town City have lodged a successful appeal with South African Football Association’s (SAFA) arbitration body, which could drastically alter the final 2024/25 league standings and delay the new campaign.

At the heart of the controversy is Marumo Gallants, who now face a potential points deduction due to alleged administrative irregularities involving the improper registration of midfielder Monde Mphambaniso. Should Gallants be found guilty, they risk being docked points in all the Betway Premiership games Mphambaniso participated in - a decision that could cost them their place in the top flight and hand Cape Town City a reprieve from relegation.

But that’s not all. The knock-on effect of this ruling could also propel Kaizer Chiefs into the Top 8, giving the Soweto giants a backdoor route into next season’s MTN8 competition, despite finishing ninth and outside the qualifying positions.

Cape Town City were officially relegated after finishing 15th in the 2024/25 season and failed to win the promotion playoff’s. However, they filed a complaint against Marumo Gallants, alleging that Gallants fielded an improperly registered player during the season. After weeks of deliberation, an arbitration ruling by SAFA appears to favour Cape Town City’s appeal.

According to reports, should Gallants be found guilty and docked points, they would drop below City on the final log standings. That would relegate Gallants instead and reinstate the Cape side into the top flight.

The potential change in standings has massive implications. If City move out of the relegation zone and into 14th place, it shifts the entire bottom half of the table. Most significantly, Kaizer Chiefs, who finished ninth, would jump into eighth place, qualifying for the lucrative MTN8 tournament.

The PSL now finds itself in a bind, with the start of the new season under threat as legal proceedings play out. 

“I will not comment on anything until the matter reaches its conclusion. I hope you understand,” Comitis told Sowetan on Tuesday.

While, Gallants spokesperson Sello Nduna said, “There is no communication from the league. We only saw it on social media.”

If the PSL Disciplinary Committee finds Gallants guilty, it could be a major setback for the side. The player at the centre of the storm, Mphambaniso, featured in 26 of their 28 league matches.

“A degree of competence would have made it clear the player seeks to be registered for Marumo Gallants in the PSL and he was last registered for Marumo in the NFD, which became Leruma on June 30 2024,” a ruling by Safa arbitrator Nazeer Cassim, which Sowetan reported.

Amakhosi have missed out on MTN8 qualification for two successive seasons and this ruling could offer them a lifeline to avoid a third consecutive absence - an unprecedented low for the Soweto giants in the modern era. 

The Citizens, who were relegated after finishing 15th last season, stand to benefit the most if Bahlabane Ba Ntwa are found guilty, as they could be reinstated into the top flight. That would be a dramatic turnaround for John Comitis’ side, who have been vocal about seeking justice. Meanwhile, Gallants, who had just clawed their way back into the Premiership after relegation in 2023/24, now face the prospect of another demotion.

For City, the possibility of reinstatement gives them a dramatic second chance and with Comitis now legally in the clear to reinforce his squad, the club could pivot quickly into transfer mode if the ruling goes in their favour.

Chiefs, meanwhile, have everything to gain. Not only could they sneak into the MTN8, but the unexpected turn of events may also give coach Nasreddine Nabi the kind of early-season momentum he needs to kickstart a revival.

On the other hand,Gallants face a nervous wait. If they are docked points and relegated, it could be a massive blow to their progress and planning, especially after fighting so hard to secure survival on the pitch. Gallants’ next step may be to appeal the arbitration or take the matter to court, further complicating the PSL’s preparations.

For the PSL, time is running out. With the league kickoff already in doubt, this decision, and its ripple effects, could define the shape of the 2025/26 campaign before a ball is even kicked.