Barberton City Stars get fit and focused for upcoming challenge

The local semi-professional soccer team, Barberton City Stars, will swing into action this month when the Safa ABC Motsepe Second Division League kicks off after a four month-long season break.

The third-ranked national league is scheduled to start next weekend.

It is hosted by all nine provinces, with 16 teams competing in the provincial championships. The winner of each province will qualify for the ABC Motsepe League national play-offs for promotion to the National First Division.

According to Mabobo Mhlanga, Stars spokesman, the teams have been keeping their players fit and focused by arranging pre-season friendly games.

“We are ready for the new season. The team is eager to play competitive football and have constantly been enquiring about the kick-off date. We are glad that the league will finally resume,” he said.

Stars with the other teams in the league will receive a stipend of R40 000 for the first round of the season and another R40 000 for the last.

They are also in a position to have a shot at winning the R1 million prize money if they win the ABC Motsepe League, with R500 000 to be used for development. The runner-up will receive a R500 000 cash prize, of which R100 000 will be used for team development.

Mhlanga says they will play all their home games at Barberton Prison Ground.