MP ABC Motsepe League last day wrap: Barberton survives, Mphakathi and Premier relegated.

Barberton City Stars have survived the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League dreaded axe with the skin of their teeth, thanks to Forek Academy failure to honour their last fixture of the 2016/17 against them.
Barberton was expected to host Academy at Barberton Sports Ground on Saturday. However, Academy didn’t pitch-up to honour the match, resulting in Barberton getting a walkover and pocketing all three maximum points without kicking a ball.
Could have the match took place and Barberton failed to collect maximum-points, they were would be relegated for the second season in succession to the disorganised SAB Regional League.

This after their closest rival – Mphakathi Academy – won their last game of the season after beating Secunda Stars 2-1 away from home at Embalehle Stadium.
Heading into their last fixtures of the season, the two sides – Barberton and Mphakathi – were separated by a merely two points.
But with both sides getting maximum points in their last games of the seasons, it means Mphakathi, who was in their maiden season in the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League, will return back to the SAB Regional League.
Last season, Stars were relegated to the SAB League but have to buy their way back by purchasing the status of Justitia FC.
Meanwhile, Bevan Mahlangu, the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League coordinator, has slammed teams who intentionally fail to honor their fixtures. He warned them that the SAFA disciplinary action will take harsh actions against them.

One team, who failed to honour their last three fixtures, was last placed Benoni United. With nothing to play for, Benoni, who bought the status of Apollo XI at the beginning of the season, allegedly decided not to honour their fixtures.
Mahlangu said if the SAFA DC found out that it is indeed true that Benoni intentionally didn’t honour their fixtures, they will be expelled and their name ceased from existing in football for life.
“If (Benoni) found to be guilt and expelled, all the teams that played against them will have all the points the gained against them both in the first and second round being expunged. Fortunately, if that happen, it will not affect our log standings at both at the bottom and top,” said Mahlangu.

Note: Barberton City Stars are set to receive three points, which are not included in this log standing. With the three points, Barberton will move to 14th spot, leaving both Mphakathi and Premier below them.