DAY 2: First team sent packing in Motsepe League National Playoffs
Day two of the ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs encounters saw one of the nine teams in the highly competitive tournament sent packing.
The 2023/24 SAFA ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs officially roared to life yesterday at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington, Northern Cape.
On day two, teams from the third-tier league of SA football produced yet another set of entertaining games with more goals scored.
In the day’s first match, Eastern Cape’s Highbury FC settled for a 0-0 draw with Thames FC of North West in Group B.
The draw leaves Highbury with four points, giving them the advantage to progress to the semi-finals of the playoffs, depending on tomorrow’s [Thursday] outcomes.
THE FIRST TEAM SENT PACKING
The second fixture produced five goals, with FN Rangers of the Western Cape showing Limpopo’s Mpheni Defenders flames. The Western Cape side thrashed Mpheni with a 4-1 scoreline.
As a result, Mpheni Home Defenders were the first team to go home in the group stages, having reached the semi-finals last year when the tournament was held in KwaZulu-Natal. The Limpopo side only managed to collect one point.
“It was a tough one. What I can say is that congratulations to FN Rangers. They played well, with high intensity, as they pressed high in the field, forcing us to make mistakes. And we made those errors early in the game because our game plan was not to concede,” said Sydwell Phuravhathu, the coach of Mpheni Defenders.
“But this is a good experience for my boys because they’re very young. They have learnt a lot from these games, especially yesterday’s game to this game. In future, they will try to improve on their mistakes.”
The last game of Day two was between Mpumalanga’s Kruger United and Dondol Stars of the Gauteng province in Group C.
The showpiece ended in a 0-0 draw, with both teams live to rue their missed chances.
The road to promotion to the SA’s second tier continues on Thursday – tomorrow with other thrilling fixtures.
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