The ABC Motsepe League in the Free State enters the final stretch on Saturday (01/04), leading up to the crowning of the provincial champions for the 2022-’23 season.
All 16 clubs are expected to be in action and to pull out all the stops to retain their status.
All fixtures in stream A and stream B are set to commence at 15:00 at the venues as decided by Safa. The two clubs finishing top in the two streams will qualify to compete for the provincial championship title, with the winner going through to the national promotion play-offs.
Buffalo FC tops stream A with 30 points, while FC Black Cross top stream B with 40 points.
While Mangaung Unite FC is in second position in stream B, with 35 points, stream A has two clubs in contention for second place: Dikwena United FC and D’ General FC, both on 29 points.
These sides are eagerly awaiting opportunity to claim the top spot, should Buffalo falter in its last league match against relegation-bound Welkom Real Stars FC.
D’ General will take on Bloemfontein-based Spartans FC, while the winner of last season, Dikwena, will face off against Clever Boys FC.
Buffalo needs to win to avoid the last-minute disappointment of not qualifying for the provincial championship.
The fight in stream B is between Mangaung and Black Cross. The latter outfit suffered a 3 – 5 defeat against Matjhabeng FC on Wednesday (22/03).
The unfavourable result benefits Mangaung, who is equally compelled to collect maximum points against tough opponents Mathaithai FC from Botshabelo – needing a draw or win to cement third position in the stream.
Mangaung is banking on a favourable outcome in a legal dispute against Black Cross, earning them a ticket to compete for the provincial championship title. The two second-tier teams are embroiled in dispute over questionable registration of veteran defender Kamogelo Wolf.
Mangaung has filed for arbitration, challenging the controversial outcome of the disciplinary case regarding Black Cross registering the player without a Fifa International Transfer Certificate (ITC) from Lesotho’s football outfit Bantu FC. This came after Daniel Thulo, Safa Free State disciplinary committee chairperson, ruled in favour of Black Cross and further ordered that Mangaung and Safa Free State pay costs of the sittings.
