South Africa’s AmaZulu FC win promotion by buying league champions

Jordaan expressed his reservations saying he will be meeting the PSL to discuss the sale of franchises and the need to spread clubs around the country.

“It’s a fact that buying and selling of franchises in today’s economic times is part of the global game – you only need to look at clubs like Paris St-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City and many others around the world who have changed ownership and shareholding,” he told BBC Sport.

“However, it’s important to note they have not relocated or changed their names.

“We run the risk of having all our top-flight clubs being concentrated in one area – Gauteng already has six clubs in the 16-team PSL – rather than spreading the teams to all parts of the country.”

The sale has caused widespread outrage among fans and the footballing public who believe the integrity of the game has been damaged by clubs buying their way into the top flight.

Thanda goalkeeper Xolani Ngcobo, told a local website the players’ interests were not taken into account after they fought so hard to win automatic promotion.

“It’s painful after so much effort one put in and, at the end of the day, those efforts were about helping Usuthu (AmaZulu).

“It will also take some time for me to get over this because I’ll have to do it all over again to get another promotion, which is not easy.”

Thanda’s fans and the local Umhlathuze municipality, which reportedly spent just over $1m (£57,400) to improve the floodlights at the local stadium, are also angry over the sale.

The municipality, which had also agreed a sponsorship with the club amounting to just over $1.1m over the next three years, is contemplating legal action but the threat has yet to materialise.

AmaZulu, who are coached by Zimbabwean Joey Antipas, will be hoping to avoid being relegated for a fifth time while in terms of the PSL rules, Thanda’s place in the second tier has been taken by the newly formed Richard’s Bay FC.