Following the decision by the South African Football Association (SAFA) not to relegate any team from the ABC Motsepe League Division, the SAFA Vhembe MMK Regional League has also taken a decision not to relegate any team to the lower division. Although SAFA Vhembe Regional Association will not relegate any team to the lower division, that will not stop the local football associations (LFAs) from promoting their deserving teams to the higher division.
The decision implies that the number of SAFA Vhembe's member clubs will increase dramatically when the activities for the new season start. One of the four LFAs that fall under the jurisdiction of SAFA Vhembe, Thulamela Local Football Association (Thulfa), confirmed this week that they will promote 11 teams to the higher division.
According to the general secretary of Thulfa, Mr Prince Phandavhudzi, the teams that qualified for automatic promotion were on top of their respective streams when the State President announced the national lockdown in March.
Mr Phandavhudzi revealed that Buluni Happy Boys, Zwaloni United, Miluwani Happy Boys, Itsani FCM, Tshivhungululu Hungry Vultures, Mukula Avalon, Makonde Young Tigers, Tshikundamalema Waterfall, Tswera Hot Chillies, Mahunguwi United and Khakhu Fast Eleven will be campaigning in the higher division next season. Mr Phandavhudzi further stated that his association would not hold a prize-giving ceremony this year.
The other three SAFA Vhembe LFAs, Makhado, Collins Chabane and Musina, were still to confirm the teams that qualified for promotion at the time of our going to press. According to the general secretary of SAFA Vhembe, Mr Eric Muneri, the commencement date for the new season's league programme will be announced upon receipt of a directive from their mother body, SAFA.