There might just be a reprieve for ABC Motsepe League clubs in the near future – in fact, some will probably go as far as dubbing it as a victory for all clubs as it will significantly ease their financial challenges.
That is to say if the proposal – to add a second (rural) regional stream – gets ratified by the South African Football Association for the 2024/’25 Second Division season.
No Bones with Jones reported last week that Safa Western Cape could expand the Motsepe League with additional streams to help create more opportunities and participation for teams from the rural streams.
This however was deemed as ‘fake’ news by the province’s chairman Tankiso Modipa (pictured left).
Modipa told our website that he was rather shocked when it was posted on social media before it reached its destination for further handling.
But it is coming more to light that this proposal is receiving some serious deliberation following Modipa’s most recent response to our website.
“Mr (Chris) Tyhawana, my Deputy Chairman in the province, is dealing with Competition. That matter was prematurely posted on the social media platforms – leaked by who, I don’t know,” said the Safa WC boss.
“As I indicated there are still possibilities that we are exploring to be more inclusive, the formal presentation will be sent to SAFA National in due course after being amended by the PEC members as it has been suggested there, then if they are satisfied it will be sent to SAFA National Competitions Committee for approval, as soon as that has happened we shall have a media briefing to explain the plan in details going forward,” Modipa added.
This follows ‘demands’ from clubs in (rural) regions such as the Central Karoo, Eden and Overberg amongst others to form part of the Second Division with their own stream.
So, what does this mean for clubs within the Cape Metropole? The most significant aspect is that Cape Town-based clubs could decrease their travelling costs and will not have to fork out substantial amounts of money to play teams based outside the Cape Metropole.
Currently, two clubs from outside the Cape Metropole, Royal Blues from Beaufort-West and Oriented Birds from Eden, are competing in Stream A and Stream B respectively.
And as their rivals can vouch it is a costly affair for clubs to make the long trip for the away fixtures – especially for these two clubs outside the Cape region.
Similarly, it will lessen the expenses of clubs outside the province who have to do way more travelling as the bulk of their opponents are situated in and around the Mother City.
Should this proposal get the thumbs up from the Mother body, it will however not be as formidable as the stream in the Cape Metropole in terms of competition on the field.
There is also the possibility of the West Coast which could also ‘demand’ that they too have some representation in the Second Division – should that be the case they will in all likelihood fall under the Cape Metropole and which could be the furthest that Cape Town-based teams could travel.
