John Comitis: The shortest route back to the PSL is obviously the best route

The Citizens were relegated following a horrendous season in the Betway Premiership as they dropped out of the South African top-flight via the promotion/relegation play-offs.

Head coach Eric Tinkler had been sacked in December and interim coach Muhsin Ertugral was sent packing in March, leaving Diogo Peral and Roger Da Sa in charge.

It was the first time City had finished outside of the top eight since their founding in 2016, following the purchase of Mpumalanga Black Aces. 

Speaking on Marawa Sports Worldwide, Comitis admitted they may look to buy another status to avoid getting stuck in the National First Division.

The chairman said: 'Well, that's always an option because the PSL has allowed an entry and a window of opportunity for clubs to do that.

"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."