Although the battle between the two teams was expected to be tough since they both finished their ABC Motsepe League with high points, Mpheni had the upper hand with its vast experience playing at that level. Mpheni previously represented Limpopo in the ABC Motsepe League national playoffs event in Pietermaritzburg last year but were eliminated in the semi-finals when they lost 3-2 to Upington City on penalties and had to return home to start afresh.

After their victory on Saturday, Mpheni Home Defenders are now faced with the same path they faced last year when they ended up in the semi-finals where they were eliminated. However, this time it will be with a well-prepared and experienced team that has had a stint with some of the Premium Soccer League (PSL) teams in the country. It is unfortunate for Tzaneen United that things had to end this way after putting in a great deal of effort preparing for the clash.

Also read: Emanuel squanders home advantage

Looking at Mpheni’s profile, one could easily see that, although Tzaneen United did put up a good fight on Saturday, the playing field was not even. Their fate had been decided and sealed in the SAFA books long before they set foot in the stadium. That was the general opinion of football lovers who have been following Mpheni Home Defenders and know their capabilities. They were like a wounded animal desperate to bulldoze anything in their path.

There was nothing much that Tzaneen United could have done under the circumstances to stop them. It was unfortunate that football lovers in the Mopani district had to witness one of their favourite teams bow out of the PSL race to a team from Vhembe. This means another long wait before a Mopani team is promoted to the Premium Soccer League (PSL).

Also read: Emmanuel FC leaves Mikhado FC speechless

If Mpheni manages to pull it through in the upcoming national playoffs and move to the next level (National First Division), it will open the door for Emanuel FC in the ABC Motsepe League Stream A to dominate the league, while Tzaneen United will probably be dominating Stream B. This paves the way for a possible clash of Mopani teams in the next provincial playoffs at the end of the next season since chances are good that both teams will be from Mopani.