17 September 2017 – This may only be their second season in the ABC Motsepe League in Gauteng, but Dondol Stars are aiming for the skies. The team, formed in 2014 following the acquiring of the status of Bronkhorstspruit based MSD Devoted Angels and winning the SAB League in the season year, Dondol only started playing in the ABC Motsepe last season.
What followed was a respectable ninth position finish, where they won 10 of their 30 matches, drawing nine times and losing 11 matches.
Now well-equipped and aware of how the ABC Motsepe League operates, Dondol are eyeing for the Gauteng title.
That will not be easy, as they are still competing with teams like Vaal Professionals, Swallows FC, Maccabi FC, JDR Stars, Valencia and Baberwa FC who are one of the big guns of the league.
Dondol chairman Lordwick Makhura spoke to SAFA.net about his journey and why the challenges make their goals even more attractive.
“We are aware of what we have and what we do not have, so for us, that stops to be a big issue. Our first season in the ABC Motsepe League, where we finished 9th, helped us learn. Our belief and courage are some of the things that keep us going” Makhura said.
“That is why our slogan is Chaba Re Fete, which means ‘move over, we are passing’. For us, that means were passing here in the ABC Motsepe League and our goal is to win promotion. I am aware that all the other teams want to win, but with the team that we have assembled, we will do well,” said the Dondol Stars chairman.
The team is currently based in Mamelodi, playing most of their matches at the TUT Pretoria West Campus, with Mehlareng Stadium in Tembisa serving as an alternative venue, as some of the team fans are based in Tembisa.
What heightened the teams’ belief that they have what it takes to go far this season was their opening season victory, which was a 2-1 scoreline over M. Tigers United this past weekend.
They currently sit fourth on the log after one round of matches, with Swallows, Alexander United and Baberwa occupying the first three spot at the top.
Most of Dondol’s players are scouted from the rural areas, while a few have had their share of demanding football in the Swaziland Premier League.
Others, mostly youngsters, are scouted during the ongoing Kay Motsepe Schools Tournament.