The football loving community of Mkhondo will have the pleasure of watching the 2022/23 Gert Sibande Men Regional League Positional Playoffs to be played this coming Sunday 12 March 2023 at the famous at Mandla Magudulela Stadium, Thandukukhanya. These are the playoffs to determine the overall log standings between Gert Sibande Stream B1&B2. A place in the 2023/23 Mpumalanga Regional League Playoffs is also up for grabs.
The playoffs season came early season due to the fewer number of matches played by both streams, both streams had nine (9) teams each. The positional playoffs are very important to the players and clubs involved. The first match of will be between runners up of both streams playing for 3rd and 4th place followed by the winners of both streams.
The 3rd & 4th place playoff match between runners-up of both streams will play curtain raiser to the main match. The winner of the big match between stream B1 leaders and stream B2 leaders will not only become the overall champions but will qualify for the Mpumalanga Regional League Playoffs. It will be between Msukaligwa LFA side VOC Superstars FC vs Empuluzi Gunners FC from Empuluzi representing Chief Albert Luthuli LFA.
The two teams had the best assembled squad of players this season with VOCFM Super Stars profiting well. They had an unbeaten season winning 13 matches and drawing 3. They will be fancied to go all the way. Empuluzi Gunners FC had a tough season winning 13, drawing 1 and losing 2 matches. They won the league on goal difference against runners up Carolina Young Boys FC having collected 40 points each.
Football fanatics should expect to have a true diski experience when the two sides meet in the battle for promotion to the ABC Motsepe League. In the 3rd & 4th place match the competitive Carolina Young Boys FC will take on Amsterdam United FC from Stream B1 in the first match of day. The winner of this match will finish the season in 3rd position.
For those not familiar with the Gert Sibande Men Regional League streams we shall give a small explanation. The current streams were introduced after the resumption of football during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Gert Sibande FA divided the then stream A &B which had 16 teams each and gave rise to Stream A1/A2&B1/B2. Stream A is made up clubs from Lekwa LFA, Dipaleseng LFA, Govern Mbeki LFA & Pixley ka Isaka Seme LFA. Clubs from stream B come from Chief Albert Luthuli LFA, Msukaligwa LFA & Mkhondo LFA. This arrangement will probably be done away with in the 2023/24 season. There have been talks by the FA to have three (3) streams of 20 teams with Chief Albert Luthuli LFA getting its own stream. It has not been confirmed yet but what has been confirmed are the coming playoffs to be played in Mkhondo on Sunday. Alishe.