Hungry Lions coach reflects on ‘interesting’ NFD promotion race

Hungry Lions coach Henry Basie getting of a team bus ahead of a match

Hungry Lions head coach Henry Basie, whose side is among the Motsepe Foundation Championship promotion chasers, has made a bold prediction on how the season could pan out.

With only five matches to go, Hungry Lions are fourth in the Motsepe Foundation Championship with 44 points.

They are five points behind log leaders Kruger United but tied with Cape Town City FC [second] and Milford FC [third].

This is the club’s fourth season in the National First Division since their promotion from the SAFA ABC Motsepe League. Basie says he feels the promotion race will be decided on the last day of the season.

HENRY BASIE DESCRIBES MOTSEPE FOUNDATION CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON AS INTERESTING

“It’s very interesting. The race is very interesting, and why I am saying that is because the teams that are there have a lot of experience in this league,” Basie told FARPost.

The official Hungry Lions logo displayed by the club
Hungry Lions logo: Picture by Hungry Lions

“Now, when you see the teams there, you can see that there is a mixture of everything. We have teams with experienced, inexperienced players, youth and all of that. You see, the teams that are well-balanced are in the top five.”

WHY HUNGRY LIONS COACH BELIEVES THE PROMOTION WILL BE DECIDED ON THE LAST DAY

“So there is a mixture of everything, which is very good for South African football and for the National First Division. But obviously this one is very difficult, I think it will run up until the last day,” he added.

“This one is very difficult. Look, in my experience, since I’ve been in this league, there are no easy teams. It’s always hard. More especially if you play the ones that are in relegation. It’s very difficult, I must tell you, it’s not easy. But it’s nice and interesting.”

Hungry Lions are set to take on the University of Pretoria at Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.

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