The Mkhondo Promotion League 2022/23 season wraps up this weekend with the Promotional Playoffs featuring six (6) league champions. The most important tournament of the league season will take place on Saturday, 01 & and Sunday, 02 July 2023, at Nohhemu Sport Ground, Ngema Trust. A total of Six (6) teams made it to the playoffs after attaining top position in their respective leagues. They are coming to the playoffs as champions.
The long journey began in August 2022 with a total of eighty-two (82) teams, all affiliated to the Mkhondo Local Football Association. The teams are closer their destination, which is promotion to the higher league. The teams were all competing for the top position which they attained in their respective leagues, but now it is the ultimate stage. The battle of champions.
The competing teams include former Mkhondo Promotion League champions and top favourites Total Football United FC. The Thandukukhanya Promotion League champions are drawn in group A along with playoffs debutants Rangers FC from Simakade Sub LFA. Black Lion FC is returning to the playoffs for the 3rd time and might be the surprise package coming as underdogs into the tournament. The Sulphur Springs champions are drawn group A.
Group B is headlined by host club Killers FC who qualified after winning Ngema-Dirkiesdorp Promotion League for the first time. The club dethroned three-time champions Kunene FC and are the oldest club in the tournament. Amabhubesi FC from Amsterdam Promotion League will be making their 3rd appearance at the playoffs. They will play their opening game against tournament debutants Al Ahly FC from Commondale. The club comes from the new Commondale Promotion League stream which was playing league football from the first time in the 2022/23 season.
The top two teams to reach the final will progress to the Gert Sibande Promotional playoffs. At the Regional playoffs the top two teams will play against two clubs from Msukaligwa LFA for the two available spots in the 2023/24 season. The Gert Sibande FA will be introducing a new 16-team league stream that will feature teams from Mkhondo and Msukaligwa LFA. The teams will no longer travel more than 100 kilometres to play Regional League matches. The teams that will qualify will definitely be relieved by this decision especially when it comes to travelling.
The Mkhondo Promotion League kick off on Saturday morning with Rangers FC taking on tournament favourites Total Football United FC at 9am. They will be followed by Amabhubesi FC vs Al Ahly FC of Group B at 11am.