The Safa Vhembe Regional League has done it again, achieving a clean audit for the fourth consecutive year. This accomplishment was revealed during the association's annual congress held at the Munakisi Hall in Muledane, outside Thohoyandou, on Monday morning.
Presenting the financial statements for the soccer season ending 30 June this year, the association's treasurer, Mr James Maluleke, noted that they had fulfilled their mandate despite operating without a sponsor during the season under review.
Addressing the congress, the president of the association, Mr Jabulani Ndobe, highlighted key achievements, including the promotion of one referee, Thendo Makhavhu, and one assistant referee, Molomo Raphala, to officiate in the professional ranks during the past soccer season.
Ndobe also expressed disappointment with the former executive members of the Thulamela Local Football Association (Thulfa), who were banned from football for 10 years and who now opted to take their grievances to court. He noted that Thulfa is no longer under administration, following the election of new leaders at the elective congress held on 21 September 2024.
The general secretary of the association, Mr Samuel Matodzi, presented the activity report, describing Safa Vhembe as the largest regional league in the country, with 217 teams. However, he expressed disappointment over the association's failure to promote a team to the ABC Motsepe League last season. FC Basel, who represented the region at the provincial promotional playoffs held at the Jane Furse Stadium in Sekhukhune, did not qualify during the annual event.
Matodzi also raised concerns over the rising number of cases involving game abandonment. The league's disciplinary committee handled 61 cases during the season under review, with 41 related to abandoned matches. Additionally, three cases involving the assault of match officials were dealt with by the committee.