The 2023–24 SAFA Second Division (known as the ABC Motsepe League for sponsorship reasons)[1] was the 26th season of the SAFA Second Division, the third tier for South African association football clubs, since its establishment in 1998. Due to the size of South Africa, the competition was split into nine divisions, one for each region. After the league stage of the regional competition is completed, the nine winning teams of each regional division entered the playoffs.[2]
Season | 2023–24 |
---|---|
Champions | Highbury F.C. |
Promoted | Kruger United |
← 2022–23 2024–25 → |
Highbury F.C. from the Eastern Cape, and Kruger United from Mpumalanga qualified for the final, with both earning promotion to the 2024–25 National First Division.
Highbury F.C. defeated Kruger United 2-0 in the final, with Highbury taking R1.2 million in prize money, and Kruger United R600,000.[3]
The competition is administered by the South African Football Association.[4]
In January 2024, a game in the Limpopo A stream between Madridtas FC and Vondwe XI Bullets in Tshifudi outside Thohoyandou resulted in a referee being attacked.[5]
In May 2024, three officials were suspended for soliciting bribes.[6]
Regions
editEastern Cape
editNewly promoted teams:[7]
- EMI
- Ayliff City
Free State
editNewly promoted teams:[7]
- Ixias
- Super Eagles
Gauteng
editNewly promoted teams:[7]
- Mike 1 Stars
- University of Johannesburg
The division was won by Dondol Stars for the second year in a row.[8]
Kwazulu-Natal
editNewly promoted teams:[7]
- Dlangezwa Hellenic
- Swayimane United
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial playoffs were won by Njampela FC, who defeated uMsinga United 1-0 after extra time. The game ended 0-0 in regulation time. Their coach, Tshepo Motsoeneng, will be making his sixth appearance at the national playoffs.[9]
Limpopo
editNewly promoted teams:[7]
- Nkowankowa Continental
- Sunrise FC
Stream A
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mpheni Home Defenders | 18 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 16 | 5 | +11 | 37 | Playoffs |
2 | Emmanuel FC | 18 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 9 | +9 | 31 | |
3 | Munaca FC | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 19 | 15 | +4 | 29 | |
4 | United Artists | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 15 | 11 | +4 | 28 | |
5 | Maruleng Celtic FC | 18 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 15 | +3 | 27 | |
6 | Vondwe XI Bullets | 18 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 21 | 14 | +7 | 25 | |
7 | Madritas FC | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 15 | 16 | −1 | 21 | |
8 | Winners Park (Bellevue Village) | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 20 | 28 | −8 | 21 | |
9 | Giyani Happy Boys | 18 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 20 | −10 | 17 | |
10 | Musina United | 18 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 10 | 29 | −19 | 8 |
Mpumalanga
editNewly promoted teams:[7]
- Phezulu
- MP Future Stars
The franchise of Passion F.C. was purchased by Cunningmore B.[10]
League table
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kruger United | 28 | 17 | 8 | 3 | 42 | 14 | +28 | 59 | Playoffs |
2 | Ehlanzeni United FC | 28 | 16 | 7 | 5 | 38 | 21 | +17 | 55 | |
3 | Destiny College | 28 | 13 | 10 | 5 | 33 | 19 | +14 | 49 | |
4 | Phezulu FC | 28 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 41 | 28 | +13 | 46 | |
5 | Middelburg United | 28 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 27 | 23 | +4 | 41 | |
6 | Secunda M Stars | 28 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 31 | 28 | +3 | 41 | |
7 | Witbank City Lads | 28 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 35 | 32 | +3 | 39 | |
8 | Fernie Battalion FC | 28 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 30 | 34 | −4 | 37 | |
9 | FC Sivutsa NPC | 28 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 32 | 31 | +1 | 34 | |
10 | Mpumalanga Football Academy | 28 | 10 | 3 | 15 | 31 | 35 | −4 | 33 | |
11 | The Bees | 28 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 29 | 33 | −4 | 33 | |
12 | Sibange Young Bucks | 28 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 32 | 43 | −11 | 31 | |
13 | Phaphama FC | 28 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 28 | 38 | −10 | 29 | |
14 | Mpumalanga Future United FC | 28 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 24 | 42 | −18 | 29 | |
15 | Bakoena Chiefs | 28 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 17 | 49 | −32 | 17 |
North West
editNewly promoted teams:[7]
- Spain
- Montshioa Swallows
Stream A
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Army Rockets FC | 16 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 8 | +32 | 39 | Playoffs |
2 | Lerumo Lions | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 30 | 14 | +16 | 28 | |
3 | Kgositlile FC | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 31 | 24 | +7 | 28 | |
4 | Spain FC | 15 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 21 | 13 | +8 | 26 | |
5 | Thaba Tshwane FC | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 19 | 20 | −1 | 22 | |
6 | TUT FC | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 20 | |
7 | NWU Tawana FC | 16 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 19 | 30 | −11 | 15 | |
8 | Black Eagles | 16 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 19 | 29 | −10 | 11 | |
9 | North West Super Stars FC | 16 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 53 | −41 | 10 |
Stream B
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Thames FC | 16 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 41 | 18 | +23 | 36 | Playoffs |
2 | Mahika Champions | 16 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 27 | 15 | +12 | 29 | |
3 | Montshioa Swallows FC | 16 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 30 | 23 | +7 | 29 | |
4 | North West University | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 21 | 11 | +10 | 23 | |
5 | Stilfontein Real Hearts | 15 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 16 | +1 | 21 | |
6 | NW Signal | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 20 | 22 | −2 | 19 | |
7 | Indomitable Lions FC | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 25 | 27 | −2 | 18 | |
8 | City Rovers FC | 16 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 19 | 27 | −8 | 16 | |
9 | Taung Mega Stars | 16 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 16 | 57 | −41 | 4 |
Northern Cape
editNewly promoted teams:[7]
- Amaleven
- Mighty Movers
Stream A
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | NC Professionals | 16 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 41 | 8 | +33 | 42 | Playoffs |
2 | Kakamas Juventus | 16 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 33 | 18 | +15 | 35 | |
3 | Olifantshoek Sporting | 16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 26 | 22 | +4 | 30 | |
4 | Upington Tornado | 16 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 27 | 25 | +2 | 21 | |
5 | Benfica FC | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 22 | 24 | −2 | 19 | |
6 | Kakamas Sundowns | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 22 | −4 | 16 | |
7 | Olympics | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 26 | 32 | −6 | 16 | |
8 | Amaeleven FC | 16 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 25 | 38 | −13 | 12 | |
9 | Olifantshoek Young Stars | 16 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 20 | 49 | −29 | 9 |
Stream B
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Saints FC | 16 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 39 | 16 | +23 | 39 | Playoffs |
2 | Jacksa Spears | 16 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 42 | 13 | +29 | 37 | |
3 | Tsantshabane Stars FC | 16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 13 | +8 | 30 | |
4 | Postmasburg FC | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 16 | 18 | −2 | 22 | |
5 | United Rovers | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 30 | 34 | −4 | 18 | |
6 | Diamond City | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 18 | 31 | −13 | 17 | |
7 | Kuruman Scorpions | 16 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 34 | −21 | 15 | |
8 | Mighty Moovers | 16 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 26 | 32 | −6 | 13 | |
9 | Rasta Far Eagles | 16 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 14 | 28 | −14 | 12 |
Western Cape
editNewly promoted teams:[7]
- Junction Rovers
- Oriented Birds
Stream A
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FN Rangers | 16 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 37 | 11 | +26 | 40 | Playoffs |
2 | Ikapa Sporting | 16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 27 | 21 | +6 | 30 | |
3 | Hanover Park | 16 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 36 | 22 | +14 | 29 | |
4 | Santos | 16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 19 | +9 | 29 | |
5 | Junction Rovers | 16 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 32 | 35 | −3 | 21 | |
6 | Ubuntu Football Club | 16 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 44 | 32 | +12 | 20 | |
7 | Young Bafana | 16 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 21 | 34 | −13 | 16 | |
8 | Royal Blues | 16 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 17 | 40 | −23 | 12 | |
9 | Ukhanya United | 16 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 13 | 41 | −28 | 7 |
Stream B
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Clarewood | 16 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 31 | 15 | +16 | 36 | Playoffs |
2 | Grassy Park United | 16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 30 | 18 | +12 | 31 | |
3 | Maties F.C. | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 28 | |
4 | Oriented Birds | 16 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 28 | +1 | 23 | |
5 | Hout Bay United | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 30 | 25 | +5 | 22 | |
6 | Zizwe United | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 20 | 19 | +1 | 17 | |
7 | Cape Town Spurs Youth | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 31 | 35 | −4 | 17 | |
8 | City Kings | 16 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 23 | −10 | 14 | |
9 | Batalions FC | 15 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 33 | −21 | 10 |
The Western Cape playoffs were won by FN Rangers, who defeated Clarewood FC 2-0 in the final.[11]
Playoffs
editGroup A
edit- Njampela FC (KwaZulu-Natal)
- Mpheni Defenders (Limpopo)
- FN Rangers (Western Cape)
Group B
edit- Mangaung Unite (Free State)
- Highbury FC (Eastern Cape)
- Thames FC [North West]
Group C
edit- NC Professionals (Northern Cape)
- Kruger United (Mpumalanga)
- Dondol Stars (Gauteng)
Semi-finals
editKruger United | 1 - 0 | Thames FC |
---|---|---|
Njampela FC | 1 - 2 | Highbury |
---|---|---|
Final
editReferences
edit- ^ Laduma, Soccer. "SAFA and Motsepe Foundation renew ABC Mostepe League partnership". Soccer Laduma. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ "SAFA ABC Motsepe League". SAFA.net. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (23 June 2024). "Highbury FC crowned ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs champions". FARPost. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "SAFA ABC Motsepe League - SAFA.net". 25 March 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Munyai, Ofhani (15 January 2024). "Another match official manhandled in the ABC Motsepe League". FARPost. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Munyai, Ofhani (13 May 2024). "Three SAFA match officials suspended for soliciting bribes". FARPost. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Raophala, Mauwane (22 August 2023). "Teams promoted to ABC Motsepe League". FARPost. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (15 April 2024). "Dondol Stars crowned Gauteng ABC Motsepe League champions". FARPost. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (29 April 2024). "Tshepo Motsoeneng off to ABC Motsepe national playoffs for the sixth time". FARPost. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (22 July 2023). "Cunningmore B United secure ABC Motsepe League status". FARPost. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (13 May 2024). "Thames, FN Rangers secure ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs berths". FARPost. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (4 June 2024). "ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs draw confirmed". FARPost. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (21 June 2024). "Two new Motsepe Foundation Championship clubs confirmed". FARPost. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (20 June 2024). "ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs semi-finalists confirmed". FARPost. Retrieved 3 July 2024.