ABC Motsepe National Playoffs: Nine teams target promotion to NFD

Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal is gearing up to host the highly anticipated ABC Motsepe League Playoffs from June 5-11.

The stakes are high as the two finalists will be promoted to South Africa's first division, the Motsepe Foundation Championship for the upcoming 2023/2024 season.

The draw for the playoffs took place at SAFA House on Monday, revealing a captivating competition divided into three groups.

Teams will engage in intense round-robin stages, vying for the esteemed title of ABC National champions.

Each team in the playoffs will engage in two fierce matches, with the top teams from the three groups securing a spot in the highly anticipated semi-finals. The best second-placed team among the three groups will also advance to complete the last four.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Friday, 9 June and the grand finale will follow on 11 June, where the ultimate victor will be crowned and celebrated.

While the two finalists will revel in their promotion, the remaining participants of the national playoffs will return to their provincial leagues.

Group A features this season's Nedbank Cup giant killers, Dondol Stars from Gauteng, who will face tough competition from KwaZulu-Natal's Umsinga United. A club from the Free State will join the group, yet to be revealed in the coming days.

Group B highlights the talent of coastal teams, with the Eastern Cape's Amavarara FC, Western Cape's Young Bafana, and Northern Cape's Upington City poised to deliver thrilling battles and fierce competition.

Group C predominantly showcases the prowess of Inland provinces, as North West's Orbit College leads the pack. They will face Mpumalanga's Mlambo Royal Cubs and Limpopo's Mpheni Home Defenders.

Fixture dates and kick-off times will be