Kgapane stadium in the Greater Letaba Municipality will host this year’s SAB Champ of Champs Playoffs.
By: Refilwe Sebola
The previous uncertainty over the Mopani SAB league playoffs venue has finally been averted.
According to the South African Football Association (SAFA) President in Mopani Region, Vincent Ramphao, this year the Champ of Champs games will be held at the Kgapane Stadium in the Greater Letaba Municipality area.
This after SAFA was initially uncertain whether to stage the games at Kgapane or Mamanyoha stadium in Bolobedu. The games will start in earnest this Saturday in a round robbin format while the final round of the round robbin games, the third place games and the final will take place on Sunday.
A total of six deserving winners of their respective SAB league streams within Mopani district will battle it out for a place in the provincial playoffs for promotion to the ABC Motsepe league.
In group A, last year finalists and this year’s favourites Josy United from Jamela will be expected to record nothing less than three points against newbies Dzekula Sky Masters from Giyani in an opening game of the playoffs on Saturday at 09h00. The second game from group B rivals Thlothlokwe Golden Syrup and Nkowankowa Continentals is expected to start at 11h00.
Soccer pundits predict a draw on this one. The group A loser between Josy and Dzekula will play the third game against Maruleng Celtic at 13h00 while the group B loser between Thlothlokwe and Continental will play Super Eagles in the fourth and last game on Saturday at 15h00. Celtic is tipped as surprise package in the playoffs.
On Sunday the group A winner between Josy and Dzekula will play the fifth game against Maruleng Celtics at 08h00 in the morning while the group B winner between Nkowankowa Continental and Thlothlokwe will play Super Eagles in the last game of the group stages at 10h00. The team with the highest points will be declared as winners of their respective group and will lock horns against each other in the finals for a place in the provincial playoffs at 15h00.
The runners up in the two groups will play for third and fourth place at 13h00. Entrance is free.