![]() | |
Founded | 1998 |
---|---|
Country | ![]() |
Confederation | CAF |
Divisions | 9 |
Number of teams | 144 |
Level on pyramid | 3 |
Promotion to | National First Division |
Relegation to | U21 Hollywoodbets Regional League |
Domestic cup(s) | Nedbank Cup |
Current champions | Highbury F.C. |
Most championships | Roses United |
Website | www |
Current: 2024–25 SAFA Second Division |
The SAFA Second Division (known as the ABC Motsepe League for sponsorship reasons, and previously the Vodacom League between 1998 and 2012, was founded in 1998 as the overall third tier of South African football. The competition is regulated by SAFA, and until 2012 had been sponsored by mobile telecommunications company Vodacom.
It features 144 teams in total, divided into 9 divisions, borders decided by the 9 geo-political provinces of South Africa: Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West. Each provincial division contains 16 teams. The winner of each provincial division qualifies for the annual promotional playoffs, where the winners of two streams are promoted to the National First Division. In each province, the two lowest-ranked teams by the end of the season, are relegated to the fourth tier U21 SAB Regional League, which in return will promote two playoff winners from the Regional Championships.
All clubs in South Africa also are allowed to compete with youth teams (U19/U21) and/or a reserve team in a lower SAFA league. If a club opt to field such teams, the U19 teams will start out at the fifth level in the U19 National League, while U21 teams or reserve teams will start out at the fourth level in the U21 SAB Regional League. If any U19 team win promotion for U21 SAB Regional League or SAFA Second Division, this promotion is fully accepted. No club are entitled to field two teams at the same level, and rule 4.6.4 of the SAFA regulations states that if the mother club play in the National First Division or Premier Soccer League, then the highest level these additional Youth/Reserve teams are allowed to compete will be the SAFA Second Division. In such cases, where a non-promotable team manage to win their regional division, the ticket for the promotional playoffs will instead be handed over to the second-best team in the division.[1]
In March 2014, the Motsepe Foundation signed a five-year deal for the naming rights of the competition worth 40 million ZAR. Patrice Motsepe named the competition in honour of his late father, Augustine Butana Chaane Motsepe.[2] The sponsorship was renewed for five years in 2018.[3]
Provincial divisions
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/South_African_Football_Association_streams_map.svg/330px-South_African_Football_Association_streams_map.svg.png)
The 9 geographical provinces of South Africa, each have a local division in the SAFA Second Division. These divisions belong either to the Inland Stream or Coastal Stream, which are used to place the provincial winners into two round robin groups, at the promotional playoff stage by the end of the season. The Coastal Stream comprises: Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape; while the Inland Stream comprises: Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West. In previous years, until August 2008, the Free State province belonged to the Inland Stream.
Maladministration
[edit]In June 2023, Bush Bucks owner Sturu Pasiya accused SAFA of maladministration and of not paying grants for up to three years.[4]
Champions and promoted teams
[edit]In the seasons from 1998 to 2003, the four best teams from the Vodacom League—determined by annual playoffs among the winners and runners-up of the 9 provinces in South Africa—won promotion for the National First Division. The playoff system divided the teams into an Inland Stream and Coastal Stream, where the best two teams from each stream won promotion.
In the seasons after 2003, the number of annually promoted teams decreased to 2. The concept of the playoff system, however, remained the same, in regards of dividing the teams into a Coastal Stream and Inland Stream, but now of course only to reward the winner of both streams with promotion. Both promoted teams will then finally also meet to play the overall final, where the overall league championship trophy is at stake.
The list below show all the promoted teams, since 1998.
Provincial winners
[edit]Coastal Stream
[edit]
Eastern Cape[edit]
Kwazulu Natal[edit]
|
Northern Cape[edit]
Western Cape[edit]
|
Coastal Stream / Inland Stream
[edit]Free State belonged to the Inland Stream from 1998 to 2008, but was transferred to the Coastal Stream for subsequent seasons.
Free State
[edit]Season | Winner | Runner-Up |
---|---|---|
1998–99 | ||
1999–00 | City Drifters | |
2000–01 | Welkom Stars | Maholosiane |
2001–02 | Maholosiane | Roses United |
2002–03 | Phuthaditjhaba United | Dikoena |
2003–04 | Kroonstad Rovers | |
2004–05 | Motheo United Warriors | |
2005–06 | Black Mambas | |
2006–07 | African WARRIORS | |
2007–08 | Carara Kicks F.C. | Mafube United F.C. |
2008–09 | Crown City United | |
2009–10 | Roses United | Maluti FET College |
2010–11 | Roses United | Botshabelo |
2011–12 | Roses United | Maluti FET College |
2012–13 | Maluti FET College | |
2013–14 | Motheo Thaba Nchu | Bubchu United |
2014–15 | Kroonstad City | Super Eagles |
2015–16 | Super Eagles | Mangaung Unite |
2016–17 | Mangaung Unite | |
2017–18[63] | Tshiame All Stars | Bloemfontein Young Tigers |
2018–19[64] | Mangaung Unite | |
2019–20[65] | Mangaung Unite | Super Eagles |
Season | Stream A | Stream B |
2020–21 | Mangaung Unite[66] | D General FC[67] |
2021–22 | Dikwena United[68] | Bloemfontein Celtic Development[69] |
2022–23[70] | Buffalo FC | FC Black Cross |
Season | Winner | Runner-Up |
2023–24[71][72] | Mangaung Unite | D General FC |
Inland Stream
[edit]
Gauteng[edit]
Limpopo[edit]
|
Mpumalanga[edit]
North West[edit]
|
References
[edit]- ^ SAFA. "Rules and Regulations" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-07-07.
- ^ "Motsepe Foundation sponsor Second Division". SuperSport. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
- ^ Laduma, Soccer. "SAFA and Motsepe Foundation renew ABC Mostepe League partnership". Soccer Laduma. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
- ^ "Sturu Pasiya slams SAFA over maladministration in ABC Motsepe League - soccer". www.sabcsport.com. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-07.https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/sturu-pasiya-slams-safa-over-maladministration-in-abc-motsepe-league
- ^ KickOff. "Roses United are the Vodacom League Champions". KickOff. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
- ^ "Uthongathi are the 2017 ABC Motsepe League National Play Off Champions". 11 June 2017.
- ^ "Maccabi crowned ABC Motsepe League champions". 9 June 2018.
- ^ "PSL alumni brighten 2020 ABC Motsepe League Play-Offs". SAFA. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- ^ "Hungry Lions are champions". SAFA.net. 3 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ "Impressive MM Platinum are the champions of the ABC Motsepe National Playoffs". SAFA.net. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (11 June 2023). "Upington City crowned ABC Motsepe National Playoffs champions". FARPost. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (23 June 2024). "Highbury FC crowned ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs champions". FARPost. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Eastern Cape Log 2015/2016". Diski Zone. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Eastern Cape Log 2016/2017 - Diski Zone". 16 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Eastern Cape Log 2017/2018 - Diski Zone".
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Eastern Cape Log 2018/2019 - Diski Zone". 18 July 2018.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Eastern Cape Log 2019/2020 - Diski Zone". 5 July 2018.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Eastern Cape Stream A Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". 5 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Eastern Cape Stream B Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". 5 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Eastern Cape Stream A Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". 5 October 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Eastern Cape Stream B Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". 5 October 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Eastern Cape Log - Diski Zone". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Eastern Cape Log - Diski Zone". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (4 June 2024). "ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs draw confirmed". FARPost. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
- ^ Inqaku. "League - ABC Motsepe League - EC Stream A". inqaku.com. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe KZN Log 2016/2017 - Diski Zone". 26 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe KwaZulu-Natal Log 2017/2018 - Diski Zone". 26 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe KwaZulu-Natal Log". Diski Zone. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe KwaZulu-Natal Log". Diski Zone. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe KwaZulu-Natal Stream A Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". 30 December 2020. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe KwaZulu-Natal Stream B Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". 30 December 2020. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe KwaZulu-Natal Stream A Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". November 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe KwaZulu-Natal Stream B Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". November 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe KwaZulu-Natal Log - Diski Zone". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
- ^ Inqaku. "League - ABC Motsepe League - KZN Stream A". inqaku.com. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ Inqaku. "League - ABC Motsepe League - KZN Stream B". inqaku.com. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Northern Cape Stream A Log 2015/2016". 11 May 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Northern Cape Stream B Log 2015/2016 - Diski Zone". 11 May 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Northern Cape Stream A Log 2016/2017 - Diski Zone". 12 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Northern Cape Stream B Log 2016/2017 - Diski Zone". 12 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Northern Cape Stream A Log 2017/2018". 12 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Northern Cape Stream B Log 2017/2018 - Diski Zone". Diski Zone. 12 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Northern Cape Stream A Log 2018/2019 - Diski Zone". 3 July 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Northern Cape Stream B Log 2018/2019 - Diski Zone". 3 September 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Northern Cape Log 2019/2020 - Diski Zone". 3 July 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Northern Cape Log - Diski Zone". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Northern Cape Stream A Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". 3 November 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Northern Cape Log - Diski Zone". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
- ^ Inqaku. "League - ABC Motsepe League - NC Group A". inqaku.com. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ a b Raophala, Mauwane (4 June 2024). "ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs draw confirmed". FARPost. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ Inqaku. "League - ABC Motsepe League - NC Group B". inqaku.com. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Western Cape Log 2016/2017 - Diski Zone". 19 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Western Cape Log 2017/2018 - Diski Zone". 19 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Western Cape Log". Diski Zone. July 2018. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Western Cape Log". Diski Zone. July 2018. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Western Cape Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". 12 April 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Western Cape Stream A Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". December 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Western Cape Stream B Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". December 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Munyai, Ofhani (15 June 2022). "ABC MOTSEPE PLAYOFFS: Hosts NWU start with a win". FARPost. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Western Cape Log - Diski Zone". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (29 May 2023). "ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs draw conducted". FARPost. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (13 May 2024). "Thames, FN Rangers secure ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs berths". FARPost. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Free State Log 2017/2018". September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Free State Log 20189/2019". July 2018.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Free State Log 2019/2020". July 2018.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Free State Stream A Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". 30 December 2020. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Free State Stream B Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". 30 December 2020. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Free State Stream A Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". 30 October 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Free State Stream A Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". 30 October 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Free State Log - Diski Zone". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (4 June 2024). "ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs draw confirmed". FARPost. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ Inqaku. "League - ABC Motsepe League - FS Stream A". inqaku.com. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Gauteng Log 2015/2016". 4 May 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Gauteng Log 2016/2017". 8 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Gauteng Log 2017/2018". 8 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Gauteng Log 2018/2019". 5 July 2018.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Gauteng Log 2019/2020". 5 July 2018.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Gauteng Stream A Log 2020/2021". 31 December 2020. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Gauteng Stream B Log 2020/2021". 30 January 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Gauteng Stream A Log 2021/2022". November 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Gauteng Stream B Log 2021/2022". November 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Gauteng Log - Diski Zone". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
- ^ Inqaku. "League - ABC Motsepe League - GP Group 1A". inqaku.com. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
- ^ https://diskizone.com/table/abc-motsepe-league-limpopo-2016017/
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Limpopo Log 2017/2018". 9 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Limpopo Log 2018/2019". 3 July 2018.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Limpopo Log 2019/2020 - Diski Zone". 3 July 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Limpopo Stream A Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". 13 March 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Limpopo Stream B Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". 13 March 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Limpopo Stream A Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". November 2021. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Limpopo Stream B Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". November 2021.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Limpopo Log - Diski Zone". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
- ^ Inqaku. "League - ABC Motsepe League - LP Stream B". inqaku.com. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (4 June 2024). "ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs draw confirmed". FARPost. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Mpumalanga Log 2016/2017". 26 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Mpumalanga Log 2017/2018". 26 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Mpumalanga Log 2018/2019". 29 July 2018.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Mpumalanga Log 2019/2020". 29 July 2018.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Mpumalanga Stream A Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". 13 March 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Mpumalanga Stream B Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". 13 March 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Mpumalanga Stream A Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". November 2021. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Mpumalanga Stream B Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". November 2021.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe Mpumalanga Log - Diski Zone". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
- ^ Inqaku. "League - ABC Motsepe League - MP Group 1A". inqaku.com. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe North West Log 2015/2016". 6 May 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe North West Log 2016/2017". 9 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe North West Log 2017/2018". 9 September 2016.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe North West Log 2018/2019". 2 July 2018.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe North West Log 2019/2020 - Diski Zone". 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe North West Stream A Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". 2 March 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe North West Stream B Log 2020/2021 - Diski Zone". Retrieved 2023-07-05.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe North West Stream A Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". 2 March 2021. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe North West Stream B Log 2021/2022 - Diski Zone". 2 November 2021.
- ^ "ABC Motsepe North West Log - Diski Zone". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
- ^ Inqaku. "League - ABC Motsepe League - NW Stream A". inqaku.com. Retrieved 2024-07-07.