Latest news with #NFD
IOL News
3 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Cape Town City chairman John Comitis considers buying another club's status to remain in the top flight
Staying in the top-flight? Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has hinted that they may have to buy another club's status in order to stay in the Betway Premiership. Photo: BackpagePix When speaking to Robert Marawa on MSW this week, Comitis was asked by a listener if he considered buying another team's status in order to stay in the Betway Premiership. Since being founded in 2016 after purchasing the status of Mpumalanga Black Aces, the Cape Town club have never finished outside of the top eight. And just three years ago, they were the best of the rest as they finished second in the league, 16 points behind Mamelodi Sundowns . The Citizens, who started the season harbouring hopes of a title challenge, were relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship this week after going down to Orbit College in a relegation/promotion match in Rustenburg. 'Well, that's always an option because the PSL has allowed an entry and a window of opportunity for clubs to do that,' Comitis said on the show. 'At the end of the day, for me, it's about providing a service for football players that can get them to the highest level. I've been doing it for 27 years, and it's important that we have the right platform to be able to do that. 'I've got 15 youth internationals in my academy. They don't want to be playing for an NFD club in their future; they want to be at a PSL club, and quite rightly so. We've created a lot of value in these players – for themselves and the club. 'We do run a business at the end of the day. We don't ever deny that, but it's a mutually beneficial business – everybody concerned is a winner when we have a successful player that comes through the ranks and makes it professionally. And we've been servicing this industry for 30 years. 'It's a lot easier to do it at PSL level. There's a certain funding that you have, there's an exposure level, which is what you need. It creates value for your players and the club. All these things don't exist in the NFD. So, for me, it's critical that we get back into the PSL, and the shortest route is obviously the best route.' IOL Sport
The South African
a day ago
- Business
- The South African
Cape Town City plot return to Betway Prem to save sponsorships
Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has revealed bold plans to return his club to the Betway Premiership, with the purchase of a top-flight status now a serious option. In a candid interview on MSW , Comitis admitted that City's relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship could trigger the loss of vital sponsors, including banking powerhouse FNB. He stressed that the club must return to the PSL immediately to avoid a damaging fallout. 'Well, you know, that's always an option because the PSL has allowed an entry and a window of opportunity for clubs to do that,' Comitis explained. Comitis didn't hold back when highlighting the financial strain relegation brings, particularly in the area of commercial partnerships. 'I don't think we would be able to carry any sponsorship in the NFD, and quite rightly so, there's no exposure there. It's a long, hard road,' he stated. He made it clear that the loss of television exposure and funding at second-tier level leaves little incentive for top-tier sponsors to remain involved. Comitis emphasised the need to provide a high-performance environment for the club's players, including 15 youth internationals currently in the academy. 'They don't want to be playing for an NFD club in their future; they want to be at a PSL club, and quite rightly so. We've created a lot of value in these players for themselves and the club,' he said. He argued that keeping the club in the lower division does a disservice to both the players and South African football, considering the development pipeline City has cultivated over the years. Comitis insisted that purchasing a PSL spot may be the only realistic way back into the league in time to save the club's business model and maintain relevance. 'There's a certain amount of funding and exposure you have at the PSL level, which you need to create value for your players and your club. All these things don't exist in the NFD,' he stressed. Despite the uncertainty, Cape Town City have already taken action to prepare for the 2025/2026 season. 'We're working around the clock to see what the possibilities are. We've already got our new coach who's arrived in the country for next season, either way,' Comitis confirmed. His proactive approach underlines how seriously the club views the need for a swift return to top-tier football, especially with their youth system, sponsorships, and long-term vision all at stake. Who will Cape Town City buy to get back to the top flight? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Makhoye dedicates Orbit promotion to North-West people
'I wanted to create a legacy,' said the Orbit head coach. Orbit FC head coach Pogiso Makhoye praised the people of the North West after bringing Betway Premiership football to the region for the first time in seven years. ALSO READ: Orbit fly past City to seal Betway Premiership spot Makhoye's Orbit side beat Cape Town City 1-0 at Olympia Park in Rustenburg on Wedneday to seal victory in the promotion/relegation play-offs. Glory for Orbit, City misery City will have to play in the Motsepe Foundation Championship next season, a sharp decline for a side that had not finished outside of the top eight in the Premiership since they were founded in 2016. 'I wanted to create a legacy, I said one day we must promote this team to the NFD (Championship) and take them to the PSL (Premiership). I dedicate this to the people of the North West. We are like Moses, we have taken them from Egypt to the land of milk and honey. I am so proud of these boys.' It was Letsie Koapeng who got the vital goal on Wednesday, the experienced striker signed in the January transfer window. 'We knew this was our moment' 'When we signed Koapeng, (Tshepo) Matsemela and (Moikhomotsi) Thibedi in January, we brought them for their experience,' added Makhoye. ALSO READ: Chiefs sign new midfielder Chislett – Reports 'We were the second best team in the NFD, (we) deserve to be here, (we) took Durban City (Durban City won the Championship and automatic promotion) to the last day (of the regular season). knew this was our moment.'
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
£35 red stripe summer dress looks just like Never Fully Dressed's sold-out maxi
Missed your chance to shop Never Fully Dressed's red and white stripe midaxi before it sold out? We have a £35 solution... There are few greater highs in fashion than spotting a lookalike of a cult designer piece at a fraction of the price, especially when it hits the season's biggest trends perfectly. Right now, New Look has come through with a summer dress that could easily be mistaken for a much pricier Never Fully Dressed design. If you missed out on Never Fully Dressed's now-sold-out stripe cotton midaxi dress, you're not alone. It was everywhere one minute and gone the next. With its playful mix of pastel stripes, embroidered detailing and that flattering midaxi cut, it had summer holiday written all over it. But now, New Look is offering a strong alternative that's not only just as eye-catching, but also comes in at £35.99 instead of NFD's £169. At first glance, the similarities are striking. New Look's red striped woven puff sleeve milkmaid midi dress shares many of the same standout details as the designer version. The vertical stripes are fun and summery, the puff sleeves give a little vintage charm and the milkmaid neckline is a universally flattering shape that suits all bust sizes. Where the original NFD version leaned into its signature eclectic look with beachy embroidery and a slightly more bohemian feel, New Look's version takes a cleaner approach. The simpler red and white stripe has a timeless, slightly nautical feel that nods to vintage summer holidays. Both dresses also feature a fitted bodice that nips in at the waist before flaring gently into a breezy skirt. New Look's dress lands at a midi length, just below the knee, which makes it slightly shorter than the NFD version. For many, that slightly shorter hemline makes it easier to wear day to day, especially with trainers, flat sandals or even a chunky espadrille. New Look's dress is also made from a cotton-rich blend, so it's light and breathable without feeling flimsy or looking see-through. For a £35.99 dress, the quality is surprisingly strong. Perhaps most importantly, New Look's dress is still in stock across most sizes. That is likely to change once the word spreads, especially among those who missed out on the designer version. If you're shopping around for other similar striped dresses, we also love Nobody's Child's Pink And Red Striped Starlight Midi Dress, £89 – cheaper than NFD but pricier than New Look.
IOL News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Promotion showdown: Cape Town City fight for survival as play-Offs begin
The Dutchman Andries Ulderink has arrived at Cape Town City FC and has taken charge as the club prepares for the crucial PSL promotion/relegation play-offs. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Historically, the balance of power has often tipped in favour of the PSL teams during the dreaded PSL promotion/relegation play-offs. This season's three-team mini-tournament, initially scheduled to start at the end of last month, will now kick off on Wednesday in Rustenburg. The play-offs were postponed due to unresolved issues in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, involving Durban City, JDR Stars, and Cape Town Spurs. As a result, the league's restructuring has now set the stage for the two National First Division (NFD) teams — Casric Stars and Orbit College — from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to begin their campaign later this week. Casric Stars, a Mpumalanga-based club, finished third, while Orbit College, based in Rustenburg, finished runners-up to NFD winners Durban City FC. Over the past decade, top-flight PSL sides have managed to retain their league status in six of the past 10 seasons. Four seasons saw teams from the NFD secure promotion via these play-offs. Among recent notable upsets, Cape Town Spurs' triumph in the play-offs three seasons ago earned them a place in the PSL, marking a significant milestone for lower-division sides. As the play-offs loom, Cape Town City find themselves in a precarious position after finishing 15th in the Betway Premiership. City have maintained their PSL status since acquiring the rights of Mpumalanga Black Aces in 2016. Their recent slump, however, leaves the once-prominent club teetering on the edge of relegation. When considering upsets in the play-offs, Maritzburg United's fall from grace in the 2022/23 season underscores the risks inherent in this system. They finished 15th but were ultimately replaced in the top flight by Cape Town Spurs. The last successful promotion via the play-offs occurred in the 2017/18 season, when Black Leopards seized their opportunity after Platinum Stars fell short. Highlands Park and Jomo Cosmos also achieved promotion in consecutive seasons (2015 and 2016) as NFD sides capitalised on the misfortunes of established PSL teams. In the past decade, clubs such as Richards Bay, Moroka Swallows, and Chippa United have successfully fended off relegation during this intense mini-tournament. Adding intrigue to the mix, Cape Town City have appointed new head coach Andries Ulderink to help steer them through these turbulent waters. The 55-year-old Dutch tactician joined the club after leaving his role as assistant coach at Glasgow Rangers. His arrival marks a new chapter for City, although the newly formed coaching structure comes on the back of a season marred by inconsistency and a desperate battle for survival. As the premiership battle intensifies, Ulderink's leadership will be crucial for a squad in need of revitalisation and belief. The outcome of the upcoming play-offs could reshape the landscape of South African football as we know it.
