The SA Football Association National Executive Committee has banned Limpopo and the Eastern Cape from this year’s ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs. This decision stems from pending judicial matters in both provinces.
The SAFA NEC decided to move forward with seven teams starting today, 2 July 2025. The Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces have been officially removed from the competition.
Limpopo side Mpheni Defenders arrived at the Soshanguve Giant Stadium this morning for the national playoffs.
Mpheni were handpicked to represent Limpopo by the SAFA PEC in the province due to the ongoing legal battle involving Sunrise FC and the Dolphins from Stream.
The club lost the provincial playoffs against the Dolphins but the match was declared null and void by the courts.
Despite earlier reports that the playoffs will go ahead without a representative from Limpopo, Mpheni are waiting for a way forward from SAFA.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Cape province, Sinenkani FC initiated legal action against SAFA to challenge a decision issued by a match commissioner, whose son was part of the opposing team, FC Ravens, the current champions.
Sinenkani prevailed in the lawsuit after the decision was in their favour, but Ravens have submitted an appeal to have the ruling changed. The ruling was delivered on Tuesday afternoon.
WHAT THE SAFA NEC STATEMENT SAID ABOUT THE BANNING OF LIMPOPO AND EASTERN CAPE TEAMS
“It is a common cause that the ABC Motsepe League National Play Offs commenced today, 01 July 2025 and day one was concluded successfully,” reads the statement.
“It is also a known fact that currently only seven [7] teams are registered from seven [7] Provinces as both Limpopo and Eastern Cape have outstanding disputes which affect their respective Provincial winners.
“Having considered the status of the current disputes in order to protect the integrity of the competition and the names of both the Association and the sponsors; the Competitions Committee met and resolved in accordance with Rule 25,4 as follows:
“1) The Competition will continue with registered seven teams excluding any team from Limpopo and Eastern Cape as their disputes are not likely to be concluded before the end of the National Play Offs.
“2) To continue with the competitions of the current seven [7] Provincial Teams which play in the following groups; Group A with three teams, Group B with two teams, and Group C with two teams
“3) The best runner up will be determined by the first group matches played.”
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