Chiefs, Gallants CUFA Cup fixture going ahead

There were doubts late on Saturday night when Gallants issued a statement revealing they were deadlocked in negotiations with the organisers over payment for their participation.

“Marumo Gallants shall advise accordingly should the dispute be resolved on time to confirm their participation,” their comment read.

Chiefs had already travelled to Mangaung, while Gallants are now based in the City of Roses having relocated there following the successful purchase of Moroka Swallows for them to return to topflight football.

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With the CUFA Cup not a Premier Soccer League match, it is up to the organisers to negotiate terms and conditions for the clubs involved. 

It’s understood the Soweto giants had sealed their agreement in time to allow them to travel the day before at the very least, while Gallants were still in talks despite promoting the game as being a willing participant.

However, at approximately 8:22pm on Saturday, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa indicated the game scheduled for 3pm the next day might not go ahead.

As discussions were ongoing behind the scenes, the organisers then gave their own update on the matter and had promised to go public with the full details before 10am – but had not done so officially at the time of going to print.

The public broadcaster, though, has been informed the two clubs will make their way to the Toyota Stadium for one of the main events that go side by side with other cultural and entertainment events for the festival.

It now appears as though the scare has been averted as information gathered by SABC Sport confirms Gallants are now on board again.