SAFA has decided to commence the 2025 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs on Tuesday, despite uncertainty regarding the availability of representatives from two provinces.
The playoffs are scheduled to take place at Giant Stadium in Soshanguve and Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville. Three teams will be promoted to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
So far, Gomora United [Gauteng], Zizwe United [Western Cape], African Warriors [Free State], Midlands Wanderers [KZN], The Bees [Mpumalanga], Kakamas Juventus [Northern Cape] and Thames FC [North West] are the confirmed teams to participate in this year’s national playoffs.
Limpopo has yet to play their provincial decider. This is after the decider between Mpheni Defenders and the Dolphins was declared null and void by the court of law.
WHAT IS THE LATEST WITH THE CASES WHICH COULD AFFECT THE ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE NATIONAL PLAYOFFS?
A decision which has since been challenged by SAFA national, and a verdict is expected at the latest on Tuesday afternoon. Dolphins were the winners of the match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
The case in the province originally comes from a protest lodged by Sunrise FC, who argue that they are the rightful winners of Stream B and therefore, the provincial playoffs should have been between them and Mpheni. The club successfully interdicted the playoff match on Wednesday last week.
THE INTERESTING SCENARIOS THAT COULD PLAY OUT IN THE SAFA COURT BATTLE
Depending on the outcome of the court case, one scenario is that Mpheni might play against Sunrise or the Dolphins late on Tuesday.
Another scenario could be that SAFA’s appeal is successful and the Dolphins go to represent Limpopo.
According to the SAFA fixture list, a Limpopo representative is scheduled to play their first match against Thames on Wednesday at 12:30.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Cape, Sinenkani FC took SAFA to court to challenge what they considered a conflict of interest. This is after a decision by SAFA to appoint a match commissioner whose son was playing for rivals FC Ravens.
They claim that this led to biased decisions and the denial of a legitimate goal. They sought a replay of the match which Ravens won 1-0.
FC Ravens are the current champions of the Eastern Cape. But due to a pending case, all Group A matches featuring FC Ravens at the playoffs are temporarily suspended. The ruling on the court case is expected on Friday, 4 July 2025.
This has also compelled SAFA to make adjustments to the playoff fixture schedule. Kakamas Juventus will take on Thames FC at 12:30, while Zizwe United will play Midlands Wanderers at 15:30.
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