The 2011–12 National First Division, is the season from September 2011 until May 2012, of South Africa's second tier of professional football. By the end of the season, the overall NFD champion will get promoted to the first level, known as Premier Soccer League (PSL).
| Season | 2011–12 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Tuks FC |
| Promoted | Chippa United |
| Relegated | Dynamos FC Atlie FC |
| Matches played | 240 |
| Goals scored | 631 (2.63 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | David Radebe (17) |
← 2010–11 2012–13 → | |
For the first time since the 2003–04 National First Division season, all teams have been placed in one unified league table. Previously the competition had been split into two 'streams'.
Summary edit
At the conclusion of the season Tuks FC secured their promotion to the PSL after topping the table.[1] Second-placed Chippa United and third-placed Thanda Royal Zulu were joined by Santos of the PSL in a three team promotion and relegation playoff. At the conclusion of the playoffs Chippa United had secured their promotion to the PSL, in the process relegating Santos to the National First Division.[2] This would be Chippa United's second successive promotion as they had only just earned promotion to the National First Division. What made Chippa United's promotion all the more special is that the club was only established in 2010.
Atlie FC and Carara Kicks were relegated at the end of the season.[3]
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuks FC (C, P) | 30 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 45 | 25 | +20 | 55 | Promotion to 2012–13 Premier Soccer League |
| 2 | Chippa United | 30 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 46 | 29 | +17 | 51 | Qualification to 2011–12 PSL Playoff Tournament |
| 3 | Thanda Royal Zulu | 30 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 34 | 28 | +6 | 50 | |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 30 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 44 | 37 | +7 | 49 | |
| 5 | FC AK | 30 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 43 | +2 | 45 | |
| 6 | African Warriors | 30 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 43 | 36 | +7 | 43 | |
| 7 | Vasco da Gama | 30 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 51 | 45 | +6 | 43 | |
| 8 | FC Cape Town | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 38 | 36 | +2 | 39 | |
| 9 | United FC | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 46 | 45 | +1 | 39 | |
| 10 | Bay United | 30 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 32 | 40 | −8 | 35 | |
| 11 | Sivutsa Stars FC | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 39 | 47 | −8 | 34 | |
| 12 | Witbank Spurs | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 32 | 42 | −10 | 34 | |
| 13 | Mpumalanga Black Aces | 30 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 33 | 41 | −8 | 33 | |
| 14 | Dynamos F.C. | 30 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 37 | 49 | −12 | 32 | |
| 15 | Atlie FC (R) | 30 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 42 | −18 | 28 | Relegation to Vodacom League |
| 16 | Carara Kicks (R) | 30 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 42 | 46 | −4 | 20[a] |
- ^ Eighteen points deducted
PSL playoff tournament edit
The teams that finished second and third during the 2011-12 National First Division season were joined by the team that finished 15th in the 2011–12 Premier Soccer League season in a 3-team promotion and relegation playoff called the PSL Playoff Tournament.
Participants edit
| Team | League | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| Santos | 2011–12 Premier Soccer League | 15th |
| Chippa United | 2011–12 National First Division | 2nd |
| Thanda Royal Zulu | 2011–12 National First Division | 3rd |
Format edit
The 3 teams participated in a mini-league in which they played one another twice (home and away) with log points being awarded for winning a match (3 points) and drawing a match (1 point). At the conclusion of the mini-league phase the team that was in first place would either earn or maintain their place in the PSL for the 2012–13 season. If the team that finished 15th in the PSL was unable to win the mini-league, they were relegated to the National First Division for the 2012-13 season.
Playoff table edit
At the conclusion of the PSL Playoff Tournament Chippa United had topped the mini-league after defeating Santos 4-3 in the final game, earning their place in the PSL for the 2012-13 season. As they were unable to win the mini-league, Santos failed to maintain their place in the PSL and were relegated to the National First Division for the 2012-13 season.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chippa United (P) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 8 | Promotion to 2012–13 Premier Soccer League |
| 3 | Santos (R) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 4 | Relegation to 2012–13 National First Division |
| 2 | Thanda Royal Zulu | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 4 |
Results edit
| Thanda Royal Zulu | 0 – 1 | Santos |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Rodgers  12' |
| Chippa United | 1 – 1 | Thanda Royal Zulu |
|---|---|---|
| Ngebo 55' |
Report | Nwadike 47' |
| Santos | 1 – 2 | Thanda Royal Zulu |
|---|---|---|
| Morris 19' |
Report | Mvalo 52' Sitayitayi 57' |
| Thanda Royal Zulu | 0 – 3 | Chippa United |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Mbenyane 6' Shumana 57'Sali 88' |
Player eligibility dispute edit
Carara Kicks fielded a player who had not been properly registered by the club and appeared in league games. As a result, Carara Kicks had 18 points removed from their total and were relegated.[4]
References edit
- ^ "Matthews welcomes Tuks to the top-flight". Kickoff.com. 14 May 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
- ^ "Chippa promoted, Santos relegated". MTNFootball.com. 30 June 2012. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
- ^ "Dynamos Relegated". zoutnet.co.za. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
- ^ "Carara relegated, Dynamos back in NFD". Kickoff.com. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.