Pondo Chiefs step up

BIZANA Pondo Chiefs and Try Again were promoted to the ABC Motsepe League after they topped their respective groups in the SAB provincial play-offs played at the University of Fort Hare in Alice at the weekend.

The two teams will now replace Young Ideas and Morning Stars who were both relegated from the third-tier league at the end of the season.

Chiefs, who topped the Alfred Nzo regional league, were absolutely superb as they won all their games to top Group A dubbed as the “group of death” with nine points.

On the way to topping the group, Chiefs beat Birmingham City of Buffalo City Metro, Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan University’s Madibaz and OR Tambo champions AC Milan.

Pondo Chiefs team manager Loyiso Jokweni said they gained promotion because of the support they had received.

“We are very excited about the ABC Motsepe promotion. It was not an easy journey but we had to soldier on at all costs.

“We are hoping to retain our players and to add a few new players to boost our campaign. Thank you to the university that hosted us and to the whole amaMpondo community,” he said.

In Group B, Try Again were confirmed as group winners after two wins and a draw that took them to seven points.

Try Again head coach Muzi Keswa said he was delighted to have made the cut this time round on their second time entering, qualifying for the playoffs.

“Last year we tried when the play-offs were held in WSU, but failed. However, a lot has changed since then and the support we got from our Amathole Municipality made it easy to motivate our players,” Keswa said.

SA Football Association provincial secretary Isaac Klaas said the play-offs were a success and congratulated both teams for earning their promotions.

“The tournament went very well as we planned it and I would like to commend the University of Fort Hare and SafaAmathole for doing a wonderful job. Both teams played very entertaining football,” he said.