The coach of Mpheni Defenders, Vhutshilo Sidwell Phuravhathu, is optimistic his team will soon secure promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
With only two matches remaining in the SAFA Limpopo ABC Motsepe League Stream A, the team from the Elim area is still unbeaten. They will face either Ngwabe City Motors or Mighty FC from Stream B in the provincial play-offs at the end of the month.
Last season, Limpopo did not have a team participating in the national play-offs after Sunrise FC took the matter to the High Court twice, seeking to represent The Dolphins, who had beaten Defenders in the provincial play-offs. While SAFA Limpopo was still contesting the matter in court with Sunrise, Defenders were initially sent to the national play-offs. However, when they arrived in Soshanguve, the South African Football Association decided to withdraw both the Limpopo and Western Cape teams from the competition.
This will not be the first time Defenders have reached the provincial play-offs. It will be their fourth appearance at provincial level and their third attempt to qualify for the national play-offs. On two previous occasions, they failed to secure promotion to a higher league.
Phuravhathu is determined not to let history repeat itself. “Just reaching the promotional play-offs has boosted the boys’ confidence and motivation,” he said.
He praised the squad’s commitment, saying they are determined to become the best team in Limpopo. He said the team would secure promotion this year, adding that they have learned valuable lessons from previous play-off matches.