By Sunday evening, one amateur club in the ABC Motsepe League will be smiling all the way to the bank having pocketed a cool R1 million in prize money plus promotion into the National First Division (NFD).
The ABC Motsepe National play offs are currently taking place in the Northern Cape capital of Kimberly which will culminate in the winner collecting one of the biggest pay cheques on the African continent.
The runners-up will also get automatic promotion into the NFD and a cheque prize of R500 000.
Of the two huge prizes, the overall winner will receive directly an amount of eight hundred thousand rand (R800 000.00), with an additional two hundred thousand rand (R200 000.00) to be applied for the development of youth football project chosen for by the winner in consultation with both SAFA and the Motsepe Foundation.
The runners-up will receive an amount of four hundred thousand rand (R400 000.00) with an additional one hundred thousand rand (R100 000.00) to be applied for the development of youth football project chosen for by the runner-up in consultation with both SAFA and the Motsepe Foundation.
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan said because of the staggering incentives within the ABC Motsepe league, the standard of football within the amateur ranks had improved tremendously to new levels.
“This is probably the biggest pay cheque for any amateur team on the continent if not globally and for that we want to thank Mr Patrice Motsepe for his generosity and nation building agenda.
“Here is a man who has poured millions of his own money into uplifting society; a shrewd businessman, philanthropist and true nation builder. He is our own Bill Gates.”
Meanwhile, an array of former professional fooballers are in Kimberley to attend the National Plays-Offs.
Also out in full force at the tournament are talent scouts from clubs including Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns, FC Cape Town.
The tournament started on Monday, 20 July and the final is scheduled for Sunday, 26 July 2015.
The play-offs are drawing to an end with Friday determining the two finalists who will meet on Sunday to contest for the big prize.
Among top former professional players here are:
Players:
- Moses Spandeel (Hungry Lions, Northern Cape): Bloemfontein Celtic
- Gert Schalkwyk (Hungry Lions, Northern Cape): Kaizer Chiefs, Bafana Bafana
- Gilbert Rudiger (Hungry Lions, Northern Cape): Free State Stars
- Jurie Basie (Hungry Lions, Northern Cape): Free State Stars
- Postnet Omony (Roses United, Free State): Bloemfontein Celtic, Black Leopards
- Mokete Tsotetsi (Roses United, Free State): Free State Stars
- Dominic Mateba (Roses United, Free State): Kaizer Chiefs
- Siyabulela Songwiqi (Mthatha Bucks, Eastern Cape): Kaizer Chiefs
- Welcome Qalanto (Mthatha Bucks, Eastern Cape): Chippa United
Coaches:
- Bradley August (Glendene United, Western Cape): Ajax Cape Town, Bafana Bafana
- Julius Dube (Mthatha Bucks, Eastern Cape): Chippa United caretaker coach
- Duncan Lechesa (Roses United, Free State): Free State Stars
- Mzunani Mgwigwi (Ass.coach Mthatha Bucks, Eastern Cape): Former U20 international
NB:
- The national championships consist of a round-robin group phase divided into Group A and Group B streams
- The top team in each group qualify for automatic promotion to the National First Division (NFD) and also the finals to determine the overall national champions
- The Group winner will be determined by the team with the number of points. If two teams end with the same number of points, the Group winner will be determined by the goal difference, and thereafter by the highest number of goals. If it is still tied after the goal tally, the group winner shall be determined by a once-off match which shall be decided on penalties if the score is still tied after ninety (90) minutes.
- In the final, if there is no winner, penalties shall be taken to determine the eventual winners.
- THERE SHALL BE NO EXTRA TIME PLAYED
The final will be staged at De Beers Stadium and will kick-off at 15h00.