The Premier Soccer League [PSL] has released the Motsepe Foundation Championship draft fixtures for the 2026/27 season, featuring a brand-new club name alongside two newly promoted sides.
As FARPost previously reported, the National First Division [NFD] campaign is set to kick off on Friday, 21 August 2026. The final round of league fixtures will take place on 9 May 2027, ahead of the PSL Promotional/Relegation Playoffs.
There will be three new teams in the NFD for the upcoming season. This follows the promotion of Western Cape outfit Hope FC and North-West University [NWU FC] via the SAFA ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs held in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, in June.
WHAT’S THE NEW NAME IN THE MOTSEPE FOUNDATION CHAMPIONSHIP?
The third new entry is Real Native FC. Mpumalanga-based side Casric Stars have officially changed their name and will now compete as Real Native FC starting from the 2026/27 Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign.
Meanwhile, opening-day action kicks off on Friday, 21 August, when Real Native FC host Cape Town City FC at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, while Venda FC lock horns with Lerumo Lions FC.
Saturday, 22 August, features a packed schedule. Newcomers Hope FC host the University of Pretoria, Hungry Lions FC face Gomora United FC. Leicesterford City FC battle Orbit College FC, Midlands Wanderers FC welcome Magesi FC, NWU FC clash with Upington City FC, and The Bees FC take on Highbury FC.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE UPINGTON CITY AND BADUZAH CELTICS DEAL?
As this publication had previously reported, Limpopo club Baduzah Celtics had expressed interest in purchasing and relocating the status of Upington City.
The ambitious third-tier outfit had already started preparing for life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship by rolling out player trials ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The club even posted on their Facebook page, inviting players for trials scheduled from Tuesday, 14 July, until 17 July 2026.
However, FARPost has reliably been informed that the proposed deal did not materialise after preliminary discussions between the two parties failed to lead to an agreement. No transaction was concluded, effectively ending Baduzah Celtics’ hopes of acquiring Upington City’s Motsepe Foundation Championship status ahead of the new season.
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