Mbombela United to represent Mpumalanga Province

Evidence Mahlalela

It has been officiated and declared by SAFA that Mbombela United will represent Mpumalanga Province in the National Play Offs to be held in Kimberley from 20-26 of next month. After a very long and extremely hard season for the ABC Motsepe 2014/15 champions things finally went their way despite the logged complaints/cases that the Nkomazi rivals and their biggest competitor of all times Phiva Young Stars had against them. The declaration by SAFA means Tingwenyama will converge with the other eight provinces to battle for the NFD promotion and R1million price at stake.

This will be United’s second time in the play offs after being knocked off early in 2012/13 season however the boys show much enthusiasm this time and how badly they need this promotion. Sikhumbuzo Matsebula the chairmen always emphasize that this is the initial stage and the team still has a lot to do, he also admitted that during their first time they were clueless and didn’t know the level of football they should expect or play, “we thought we were the better team, playing the greatest football and we had it all under control but then reality brought us to life, it was difficult and we couldn’t take it however we are now prepared” he said.

United made it through after finishing beautifully with 71 points living behind Phiva with 8 points gap. The team promise nothing but victory and NFD promotion to its supports. United is ready to walk the very same path as Sivutsa Stars now called Royal Eagle. This is not just a competition on the outside but inside too as every player wants to be part of the play offs squad because it is no doubt that this is the greatest opportunity to show case talent and also to be signed by bigger teams. Isaac “nana” Nhlapo was overwhelmed as he commented on social media “this is my first time winning a league title and am very happy we have worked hard”. They boys now await the 20^th and can’t wait for this experience especially those who are going there for first time.

#ABC Motsepe 2014/15 national play offs

Date: 20-26 July 2015

Venue: Kimberley

The actual stadiums or location has not been yet confirmed but soon as they are will update

From captaining to coaching

Evidence Mahlalela

Maseko gives out instruction from the bench

Despite seeing two coaches being consecutively sacked in his presence and his first time experience as an assistant coach, the former captain of Mbombela United stood firm and accepted the coaching position to lead United in the 2014/15 season. Mfamipela Maseko was amongst the long serving players of Mbombela United as he campaigned with the team when it first joined the Vodacom league in 2009/10 season. Maseko captained United in the national play offs during 2012/13 season before retiring. He retired after four seasons because he felt the need to give young stars a chance and not to force the body when it could no longer perform to the best of its ability. Maseko started as a captain to be former United coach Alex Zondi’s assistant and continued to be Mpumelelo Gamedze’s assistant when he took over Zondi. When Gamedze left the club, Maseko was given the task of leading the Mbombela ship.

  

From left: Sikhumbuzo Matsebula, Maseko and Staneley Manana

Everyone was surprised with such a drastic decision, people had questions and doubts. People were wondering whether he was the right one for the position, just like when Bafana Bafana appoints a new coach but then he became United’s Shakes Mashaba. Maseko was very sure and he knew the journey he was embarking on, he was ready for the challenge as other challenges helps one grow, professionally, emotionally and physically. Maseko had no coaching experience nor papers or certificates of coaching at a professional level and he still doesn’t, however it didn’t take him not more than one season to take United to national play offs and helping the team get closer to its NFD dream. When asked whether he knew if he could lead United to win the title, he just openly answered “obviously when you take a job of coaching you must have the winning and positive mentality and also trust your players”

Who would have thought that the very same man who started off as a boy for United has now led the very same team to the bigger race? Maseko has had a very wonderful season, finishing off at the top with 71 points, only one loss in 29 games, managing to draw 5 and 23 wins. Maseko was very open about how tough the season has been yet he praised his boys for keeping up with the pressure no matter the circumstances. Maseko is fortunate to have experienced the play offs while he was still United’s player and he knows very well how short but tough the play offs are going to be however he is ready for the war, that’s what he calls it.

Maseko goes wet during United's league title celebration

The coach is extremely excited and loves his job. He is very determined to continue as long as he still has the chance and sees where the coaching takes him. Maseko couldn’t have ended it more better than the 1-0 win at home against the 2014/15 runner ups Phiva Young Stars, which happens to be their biggest competitor of all times. United is now facing the huge challenge which is the play offs that will be held in Kimberley soon as the official date is out. Maseko added that “nothing is going to change; it’s just that we must motivate and push our players to work harder than this. It’s going to be tough but I am very sure we are ready”

Mbombela conquer the derby again

                          

Evidence Mahlalela

It was yet another exciting derby day and thrilling way of ending the season as the two soccer giants of the ABC Motsepe League locked horns this past Saturday at Kanyamazane stadium. Mbombela United went to the game leading by 5 points however the champions were very determined to extend their lead by continuing where they left off just about 2 months ago at Kamhlushwa stadium when they beaten Phiva Young Stars by a heart-creakingly 1-0. It was not a secret that Phiva was out for vengeance following their loses to United whilst they have never beaten Mbombela in any league game however the lions road again and the impalas couldn’t survive the battle as the game ended another 1-0 win for the champions.  The stadium was fully packed, a very great mood and atmosphere for such a huge game.

Both teams showed enthusiasm form the very first minute of the game, created early promising chances but none gave any of the two a lead. Phiva was forced to defend and fight for the ball as Mbombela owned the early minutes of the game. United tried their luck quite a few times but then Phiva’s defence did a marvellous job and so did their goalkeeper. United was well positioned and had Phiva right where they wanted them to be. Phiva struggled to play; going forward was a struggle for them and if they did United’s defence was there to build a very strong and hard wall to break. Bonginkosi ‘Ballack’ Dhladhla had the fans up on their feet when he fired a thunderous shot from outside the box as he made it 1-0 for United, a spectacular goal it was in the early 20min of the game. From there United kept on pushing forward and denied Phiva a chance to play their kind of football and create promising chances. While Phiva was hoping for an equalizer United pushed for a second one but both were unfortunate as the game went to a 1-0 halftime.

The second half turned out better and sensational as Phiva fully came back to the game. United knew they had to go an extra mile to win the game while Phiva realised they had to come up with another strategy to make things work. Both teams introduced substitutes in the second half, hoping for better. Phiva started playing long and high balls which almost worked for them. United did everything to defend their goal as Phiva’s strategy seemed to be giving them hard time, the goalkeeper and defence had to work closely and be smart or else Phiva was out to punish them. Though Phiva seemed to be a better side especially in the late minutes of the game it was too late because their last minute hard work didn’t pay off as the game came to an end.

United’s celebrations took off right away as the game ended and indeed it was a celebration after a long and tough season. United still kept their top spot and extended their lead to 8 points. United now look forward to the play offs and making it to the NFD. Mfanimpela Maseko couldn’t be more happier with his boys, the former player and now coach for United felt that this was an amazing game especially at home however he didn’t deny that it was a tough race yet he was determined to fight till the end, “I know the play offs are going to be tough but I am very sure that we are ready for the war, we just need to motivate and push our players to work harder than this” he added. United’s Chairman Sikhumbuzo Matsebula was very happy with the support they got and the perseverance the team has shown throughout yet he still sees no need for a huge celebration because this was just a first step of the big race.

Photo gallery: Mbombela United v/s Phiva Young Stars (1-0)

End of the season log standings for Mpumalanga province ABC Motsepe league

Weekend and last results of the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe league