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‘It’s not about me’: Ex-Chiefs star on securing Motsepe League promotion

Newly promoted KZN ABC Motsepe League side Newcastle Warriors FC

Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star Justice Sithole has opened up on his team, Newcastle Warriors FC, getting promotion to the SAFA KZN ABC Motsepe League for the upcoming season.

This comes after the club won the KZN provincial Regional Playoffs over the weekend.

In the playoffs, which took place on Saturday, 14 June, at the Sports and Leisure Centre, the Warriors suffered a 1-0 defeat against VJ Stars FC in their first match. Nonetheless, they redeemed themselves with a 1-0 victory over Umzinto United.

Warriors went on to triumph over Real Connection FC in their last game, defeating them 5-0, which led to their promotion to the SA third-tier.

Sithole, who also played for teams such as Golden Arrows, Black Leopards, African Warriors, FC Aziz Kara, and Maritzburg United, serves as the chairman of the Newcastle Warriors, a team that was established in 2017.

Newcastle Warriors FC during the KZN Hollywoodbets Regional Playoffs
Newcastle Warriors FC during the KZN Hollywoodbets Regional Playoffs Photo: Facebook/Newcastle Warriors FC

WHAT JUSTICE SITHOLE SAID ABOUT NEWCASTLE WARRIORS’ PROMOTION TO THE ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE

The former Amakhosi striker was thrilled about his team’s promotion to the KZN ABC Motsepe League, emphasising that the success belonged to his players, who gave their all season long.

“You know, this achievement is not about me. It’s about these young boys. As the chairman, I need to pull up my socks now and work extra hard for them,” Sithole told FARPost.

“I have to make sure that these boys are receiving proper professional treatment. It’s up to me to seek out sponsors and find help so that the team can function well. So, this is my biggest assignment now.

“It hasn’t been easy to run the club. When I retired, I had to think of something to do—something that would give back to the community. I had other options, but I chose to pursue what I understood better, which was football.”

He added, “It was all about giving youngsters an opportunity to reach their dreams and showcase their talents. Newcastle is not really a rural place, but getting opportunities like this is not easy to find.

“So, we had to take this direction and form a team within the Newcastle area and work hard to gain promotion.”

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