10 May 2018 – After failing to make it to the National First Division last year, where they found the going tough in the SAFA ABC Motsepe League National Play-offs, the Gauteng team is back this year.

Their current coach Mokete Tsotetsi said the teams is better prepared, and will put on a good fight not just for the R1 million prize money, but for one of the two places in the National First Division.

The coach, who is a former Kaizer Chiefs and Jomo Cosmos defender spoke about what he thinks are the reasons that stopped Maccabi from going all the way last year.

As nine provinces gear up for this year’s playoffs at the University of Limpopo in Turfloop from June 1-9, Maccabi will once again represent Gauteng.

Following the draw that was conducted at SAFA House on Wednesday afternoon, Maccabi coach Tsotetsi said his team will be ready for any teams that will come from the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga.

“The team was not psychologically ready last year because of the cases they had heading into the play-offs. It played a role and that was regardless of how physically ready we were,” Tsotetsi said.

“If your mind is not up for it, the body dies. It was a big factor last year. We are in a better state now. The mind is fresh. There are no worries. All we need now if to fight for all the games.

“But winning the league was a long journey. A very challenging and difficult journey, but we managed to pull through. It was even harder because we were the defending league winners in Gauteng. Going to the play-offs will not be easy,” Maccabi coach said.

The 35-year-old former defender who represented Chiefs, Bloemfontein Celtic, Jomo Cosmos, Vasco Da Gama and Mpumalanga Black Aces said the teams that will be playing at the play-offs will not be pushovers.

Teams like Buya Msuthu are playing in the play-offs for the second time in a row, and Tsotetsi reckons the hard work the teams put in will make it hard for Maccabi to make it.

“This is not an easy draw. All these teams are not there by fluke. They worked hard all season and the players are motivated. Nothing will come easy for us. We will have to show that we want it,” Tsotetsi said.

The teams that will represent Mpumalanga and Northern Cape are yet to be confirmed.