Sparks are expected to fly when Mpheni Defenders face Tzaneen United on Saturday at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. This match will decide who the Champs of Champs are in the Limpopo ABC Motsepe League.
Mpheni Defenders were the champions of Stream A, whereas Tzaneen United dominated Stream B. The winner of Saturday's match will represent Limpopo at the national promotional playoffs against the eight winning teams from the other provinces. The playoffs will take place in Northwest at a date and venue still to be decided.
During their meeting held last week, the national executive committee of the South African Football Association (SAFA) resolved to declare the 2023/2024 ABC Motsepe League in all nine provinces as final according to the existing log standings. This resolution means that the nine provincial teams currently occupying position number one will proceed to the national playoffs. Should the provincial playoffs take place as suggested, each province will have 18 teams in the ABC Motsepe League next season.
Asked about their level of readiness for the playoffs, the coach of Mpheni Defenders, Mr Vhutshilo Phuravhathu, said that the team had started their normal training sessions upon receiving the communique from SAFA last week. He stated that, judging by their performance in their rehearsal games over the past few weeks, the team was ready to absorb any amount of pressure. He appealed to local football lovers to rally behind the team.
In an interview, the Tzaneen United head coach, Mr Peace Khosa, mentioned that they had an advantage as they could start preparing for the playoffs well in advance, having finished their league programme at the beginning of April. He expressed confidence about their chances of proceeding to the national playoffs.