Amavarara’s soccer dreams lie in the dust

SAB Chris Hani league winners Amavarara Football Club’s dreams of being promoted to the ABC Motsepe League were dashed over the weekend when they lost all their three matches at the Buffalo City Metro.

On the first day of the provincial promotional play-offs on Saturday the Emalahleni team was beaten by City Lads from Alfred Nzo 4-2. On Sunday Amavarara played two matches, losing 4-3 to United XI from the Cacadu district in the first match and 4-1 to Mighty Bucs from Joe Gqabi.

Safa provincial sec- retary Isaac Klaas said the play-offs were for teams to move up from the SAB League to the ABC Motsepe League. “Callies from Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and City Lads from Alfred Nzo will be promoted to the ABC Motsepe League next season. They will be replacing Emperors and Blackburn Rovers who will be relegated to the SAB league.”

Amavarara coach Bulelani Matross said pressure played a role in the team’s unfortunate weekend away. “They gave a good account of themselves. I am happy because we did not have time to prepare like other teams did,” he said.

Amavarara played the regional and provincial play-offs over two consecutive weekends. “As a village team we did not know what to expect but we are confident we will go back to the provincial play-offs next season. We will start early with preparations for the next season.”

Safa regional executive officer Kholiwe Masabalala had previously conceded the regional league had started late, putting pressure on teams.