Teams tackle ABC Motsepe League playoffs amid provincial disputes

Clubs have arrived in the Eastern Cape for theABC Motsepe League national playoffsthat kick off at the Mthatha Stadium on Tuesday, amid outstanding cases from other provinces and threats of court interdiction. Teams that touched down prior to registration on Monday and had light training sessions included Mpheni Defenders from Limpopo, Northern Cape Professionals, North West University, La Masia from Gauteng, Luthuli Brigades from Mpumalanga, Hope FC from the Western Cape and the hosts Ravens. KwaZulu-Natal and Free State were the notable absentees, with their statuses being discussed off the field.

Last week, Bizana’s Ravens were in Group B together with Hope FC and Free State’s Mangaung Unite. But at the weekend, Mangaung were docked points for fielding an ineligible player, which they are contesting. Ravens are scheduled to play a Free State representative on Wednesday.

They will hope that by then they will have secured maximum points and be in a good position to proceed to the knockout stages. They will face Hope in their first game in Mthatha on Tuesday afternoon (12.30pm). It will be the Scarios’ first official match since their provincial decider match against Old Grey in April.

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They had some friendly matches to keep fit, which included a 2-0 win over Umkhumbi Wamampondo a fortnight ago. Hope arrived in Mthatha on Sunday evening after having spent time in KuGompo City at the Hamiltons Club, acclimatising and putting their final touches to their game.

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