By Kaizer Nengovhela and Frank Mavhungu
The much-awaited Safa Vhembe SAB League promotional play-off matches will be played on 16 June at different venues. The winners of Friday's clashes will proceed to the final play-off matches on Sunday (18th).
The 18 teams that have made the play-offs have been divided into three groups, with matches scheduled to be played at Tshifudi Stadium, Malamulele Stadium and Tshifulanani Stadium.
On Friday, three matches will be played at the Tshifudi Stadium. That is where Annel Real Vikings will meet Mabvete Peace Makers in the opening match. Berea FC will do battle against Dipeni FC in the second match. The match starting at 15:00 will be between Madridtas and Mukula Young Santos.
Young Santos must be regarded as the underdogs because Madridtas' performance has been superb throughout the season. But if the Tshifudi side underestimates Young Santos, that will be a suicidal mistake. Santos are in top form after beating the ABC Motsepe side, United Artists, 3-1 in their quarter-final game of the Nwali Soccer Tournament at the Khubvi Benjie's Grounds last Sunday.
At Tshifulanani Stadium the first match will be between Makhitha Oscar Stars and Tshikhwani Stone Breakers. This will be followed by the clash between Koki FC and Masakona Young Tigers, which is scheduled to start at 13:00. At 15:00 Mauluma Eagles United and Matanda Rockers FC will meet.
When asked about their level of readiness for the matches, the spokesperson for Makhitha Oscar Stars, Mr Sydney Luvhengo, said that they were ready for whatever heat they might come across in the matches. Luvhengo further said that all his players were razor sharp.
Vhamusanda Vho-Mbulaheni Ramabulana of Tshikhwani Stone Breakers said that his players were ready for any team. According to him, his team will be the champions. He said that they had used the two-week break to tighten up loose ends.
Young Tigers finished their league programme on top of Stream F2 with 47 points, one ahead of their neighbours, Masakona Real Citizens, but the play-offs might prove to be a tough hurdle. The chairperson of Koki FC, Mr Koki Maluleke, said earlier this week that everything was going well with their preparations and he was oozing confidence.
Mr Godfrey Masindi, the manager of Masakona Young Tigers, said he had reason to believe that his team was ready for any opponents. According to him, the spirit is high in the camp.
Mr Dennis Mukwevho of Mauluma Eagles United said that they had put aside some attractive incentives for the players in case they managed to win the mini league matches. He stated that the team had been training hard for the past weeks.
The three matches to be played at Malamulele Stadium promise to provide lots of entertainment. in the opening match Tshivhazwaulu Peace Makers will come up against Univen FC. Univen FC are one of the dark horses in the promotional playoffs, but Peace Makers are sharpened to kill after beating Vondwe XI Bullets 2-0 in their Nwali Soccer Tournament match at the Khubvi Benjie's Grounds last Saturday.
The second match will be between Mukula Fast Eleven and SMSA FC. The final match, starting at 15:00 will be between Merwe United and Basel FC.