Highlands Park FC’s pursuit for a return to the PSL remains on track after winning the SAFA Gauteng ABC Motsepe League on Tuesday.
The Lions of the North defeated another former PSL side Jomo Cosmos 1-0 yesterday to be crowned the Gauteng champions with one game to spare. The game between Highlands Park and Cosmos took place at Duduza Stadium in Johannesburg.
The Victor Tshabalala-coached side has accumulated 80 points from 33 outings. They are six points clear of the second-placed Gomora United, who are under the leadership of Johnny Ferreira.
In those 33 games, Highlands Park managed to secure 25 wins, five draws, and suffered three losses.
As a result, the Lions of the North will represent Gauteng at the upcoming SAFA National Playoffs set to be held next month in Bloemfontein, Free State. The actual venue for the playoffs will be confirmed in due course by SAFA.
In September 2020, Highlands Park sold its PSL status to TS Galaxy FC, which then occupied their position in the SA elite league from the 2020/21 season.
HIGHLANDS PARK BECOMES THE FIFTH TEAM TO QUALIFY FOR THE ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE NATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Highlands Park became the fifth team to qualify for the SA third-tier, joining The Bees FC [Mpumalanga], Kakamas Juventus [Northern Cape], African Warriors [Free State] and Midlands Wanderers [KZN].
As things stand, there are still four additional spots to be filled for the national playoffs from Limpopo, Western Cape, North West, and Eastern Cape.
The playoff finalists will be promoted to the Motsepe Foundation Championship for the 2025/26 season.
GAUTENG ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE FULL RESULTS
Tuesday, 6 May 2025
Jomo Cosmos 0-1 Highlands Park
Dube Continental 2-1 JBM
La Masia 1-0 Free Agents
TUT 1-1 Eersterust Rams
Mike 1 Stars 1-0 Wits University
OPOPO 1-0 University of Johannesburg
Pele Pele 0-0 Tshwane South College
African All Stars 1-1 Gomora United
SSU M17 1-1 Tembisa Hollywood Thunder
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