My Plea to South African Football Fans
As our U17 National Team gets ready to play their first game of the 2026 U17 Africa Cup Nations, I plead with you not to watch or analyze them through the lens of senior football, they are kids who are still developing and this tournament is part of their development so please don’t expect them to be perfect.
Some of them will be playing international football for the first time so there will be nerves and they will make mistakes, please be kind to them.
I’m not saying they must not be criticized but let it be constructive criticism in a manner that seeks to encourage rather than to destroy.
Thank You 🙏🏾
2026 Motsepe League National Playoffs
AmaZulu are here
Venda FC is here
Durban City is here
Midlands Wanderers is here
Gomora United is here
Kaizer Chiefs is here
Orlando Pirates is here
Highbury is here
I’m sure there are many other professional teams that I haven’t spotted that are here…the National Playoffs are one of the biggest platforms in SA for players to showcase their talents to professional teams.
Siphamandla Gwele (2001) of FC Ravens is a top left back, he has really shown his quality in the group stages of the ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs 👌🏿
2026 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs Day 3 Fixture
09h00 - La Masia (GP) vs NWU Soccer Institute (NW)
[Both teams need a win, anything less than a win means elimination]
12h30 - Mkhambathi (KZN) vs NC Professionals
[A draw will be enough for both teams to qualify for the semifinals]
15h30 - Mangaung Unite (FS) vs Hope FC (WC)
[A draw will be enough for Hope FC to qualify for the semifinals while a win with 2+ goals secures Mangaung a spot in the semifinals]
🏟️ Mthatha Stadium, Eastern Cape
2026 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs
[Group B Results]
FC Ravens (EC) 1 - 3 Setpoint Swifts [Hope FC] (WC)
FC Ravens (EC) 2 - 1 Mangaung Unite (FS)
[Group B Fixture]
15h30 - Mangaung Unite (FS) vs Hope FC (WC)
🏟️ Mthatha Stadium, Eastern Cape
2026 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs Day 2
Chairman/Head Coach of Mpheni Defenders Sydwell Pharavhathu shares his thoughts on the game and their exit from the National Playoffs.
FT: Mpheni Defenders (LP) 0 - 2 Mkhambathi (KZN)
🏟️ Mthatha Stadium, Eastern Cape
2026 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs Day 2
Coach Xolani Khumalo of Mkhambathi shares his thoughts on the game.
FT: Mpheni Defenders (LP) 0 - 2 Mkhambathi (KZN)
🏟️ Mthatha Stadium, Eastern Cape