Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila [TTM] have officially been relegated from the SAFA Limpopo ABC Motsepe League, just months after making their return to competitive football.
The former PSL outfit returned to South Africa’s third tier in August 2025, two years after suffering relegation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship at the end of the 2022/23 season.
At the time of their drop from the second tier, TTM were based in Mangaung, Free State, having relocated following a dispute with the management of Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo.
The club later sold its ABC Motsepe League status to Mopani-based side Maruleng Celtic.
In an interesting turn of events, TTM repurchased their status from Maruleng and appointed Lucky ‘Muchichwa’ Nelukau as head coach.
In their return to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, TTM qualified for the 2025/26 Nedbank Cup Round of 32, drawing Soweto giants Orlando Pirates. However, their cup run came to a swift end on February 7, 2026, as the Buccaneers handed them a 4–1 defeat at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
André de Jong, Thalente Mbatha, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Sipho Mbule all found the net for Pirates, with Sithembiso Ngobe scoring TTM’s sole consolation goal.
TTM DROPS TO REGIONAL LEAGUE
According to an official correspondence issued to clubs on Friday, 7 August by SAFA Limpopo, TTM’s fate in the provincial division has been sealed.
This comes after TTM finished 11th in Stream A, accumulating just 19 points from 22 matches over the course of the campaign.
TTM’s demotion sees them relegated to the Regional League alongside Lebash Academy, Unolia FC, and Gosebo United.
LIMPOPO ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE CHANGES
The four vacant slots in the provincial stream will be occupied by Baroka FC and Black Leopards. The two Limpopo sides dropped down to the amateur league following their relegation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season.
Joining them in the third-tier division are Phinnet City FC and ABC FC. Both teams earned promotions from the fourth-tier league.
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