Following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Buya Msuthu in the SAFA ABC Motsepe League play-offs in East London, coach of Limpopo side The Dolphins Abel Makhubela heaped praise on the quality of the Play Offs in East London.

One of the reasons Makhubela believes football is improving in the third tier of South African football is the SAFA Coaching courses that introduce coaches to new advanced methods of coaching.

Despite opening their campaign with a defeat, the coach insisted that his side will be able to do enough to go to the final of the competition and ideally, be promoted to the National First Division.

“We have done enough to be here. We are very prepared and we hope to do well in the tournament. The season was tough. Everyone in Limpopo wanted to be here. There is no small team any more,” Makhubela said.

“We have good coaches who are doing well because of all the great work SAFA is doing to prepare them and now the honors is upon us to do the job”

Meanwhile, Acornbush mentor, MacDonald Makhubedu breathed a sigh of relief after his side registered their first win of the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Maccabi. The Mpumalanga side were held to a goalless draw on the opening day by Super Eagles but put up a much better performance on Tuesday.

“A lot of pressure is on us because of what we did in the Nedbank Cup but we believe we are a big team and can handle the pressure. Today was tough but my boys fought hard for this deserved victory. We now need to relax a bit and work on the mistakes we made in the last two matches” said Makhubedu.

ABC Motsepe National Championships Day 2 Results:

Acornbush 1 – 0 Maccabi

Buya Msuthu 1 – 0 The Dolphins

ABC Motsepe National Play Off Day 2 Stats (Click here)

Day 3 ABC Motsepe National Play Off Fixtures – Sisa Dukashe Stadium: 

EC Bees vs Uthungathi                        09h00

Zizwe United vs Mainstay United         11h00

Maccabi FC vs Super Eagles               13h00

The Dolphins vs Acornbush                 15h00

Sourced from the SAFA website.