LIMPOPO – Vhembe-based side Rabali Pull Together left for the Safa Limpopo promotional playoffs full of confidence, but returned without the promotion they had hoped for.

The annual event was held at Mahwelereng Stadium in Mokopane on August 9-10 and featured five regional champions from across Limpopo.

Representing the Nzhelele area, Pull Together started their campaign with a narrow 1-0 loss to Phalaborwa United from Mopani.

Their chances of promotion took a further blow with another 1-0 defeat, this time to Bahume FC from Capricorn.

On the second day, they suffered a third 1-0 loss against Ramatlaohle FC from Waterberg, before claiming their only victory – a 1-0 win over Mighty Blues from Sekhukhune.

The team, known as ‘Maanda a Ndou’, finished second from the bottom of the log.

Chairperson Tshilidzi Mukoma blamed the side’s poor showing on missed scoring opportunities and a lack of composure in front of goal. He said the players panicked in crucial moments, conceding late goals and failing to capitalise on early chances that could have lifted team morale.

Mukoma added that similar errors in their second match sealed their fate.

“If we had converted our chances in the opening minutes, the game could have gone differently,” he said, noting the team now needs to go “back to the drawing board” ahead of the new season.

This marks the third consecutive season that a Vhembe team has failed to gain promotion to the ABC Motsepe League.