Amavarara and City promoted
BIRMINGHAM City and Amavarara have been promoted to the ABC Motsepe League after finishing at the top of their respective groups in the SAB League Play-offs at the Army Base in Grahamstown over the weekend.
Provincial SA Football Association secretary Isaac Klaas confirmed that City from the Buffalo City region and Amavarara from Chris Hani region would campaign in the third-tier league in the 2018-19 season.
“Both teams will now play in the [ABC] Motsepe League after they won their streams.
“The games went very well and nothing was reported so I want to thank the hosting region and the Army Base for providing us with the facilities. Everything went as planned.
“And thanks to all our stakeholders especially the Daily Dispatch for the support – they always come out to the game no matter where we are,” he said.
Klaas said the SAB League season was now officially over and sent out a stern warning to the newcomers who are joining the likes of Mthatha Bucks, EC Bees and Tornado, that they will find the going tough.
“Thanks to all the eight teams that participated in this tournament, because all of them didn’t show any desperation – they played at their level best.
“And to City and Amavarara it’s not going to easy where they are going and if they are not ready they will be relegated immediately,” said Klaas.
Amavarara coach Wiseman Mdunana said having a bad start with a draw was a setback they had to move past hence they were able to absorb the pressure from their opponents even though they were still looking for a win.
“We were under pressure, but I’m glad we were able to win both our following games and it is a good thing that we have a fighting spirit in this team.
“We never lost hope even after that draw; we knew we had to keep pushing and fighting.”
It was a case of try, try and try again until you get it right for both teams as they tried but failed to make the cut in previous play-offs with the most recent being last year.
“We’ve been trying so hard for this and we know it’s not going to be easy in the [ABC] Motsepe League.
“We have tough times ahead, but we are going to prepare ourselves without a doubt, because we want to position ourselves as tough competitors.”
City chairman Vusi Kumalo said they were overjoyed with the promotion after being to the play-off on more than two occasions.
“We are happy we are in [the ABC] Motsepe now and our hard work and dedication finally paid off and we are looking forward to playing in this league.
“Although we know it’s not going to be easy for us as a new team, but we always set goals, but we first have to learn how things are done in this league.
“Then avoid relegation as well and then we’ll take from there.”