VEREENIGINING.- Finally, Celta Vigo Development FC has achieved promotion to the SAB League Sport after years of attempts with no success.

This football development, based in Zone 3 and named after the Spanish football club Celta Vigo, secured their promotion to Safa Sedibeng SAB League after emerging victorious in both of their games during the Regional Promotion Playoffs held at President Park Stadium in Vereeniging on Saturday.

The Regional Playoffs involved three Local Football Associations (LFAs): Emfuleni, Lesedi, and Midvaal. At the end of the playoffs, two teams were promoted to the SAB League. Representing the above-mentioned LFAs were Celta Vigo Dev FC (Emfuleni), Vaal Inter FC (Emfuleni), Ratanda Fast Eleven FC (Lesedi), Super Touchers FC (Lesedi), MLM FC, and Stars Boys, both from Midvaal Local Football Association.

Stars Boys FC from Midvaal was also promoted to the SAB League after finishing among the top two in their group at the end of the playoffs. The playoffs were divided into two streams, with Celta Vigo Development FC finishing at the top of their stream by winning both of their games.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Celta Vigo’s Themba Dhlamini expressed his satisfaction, stating that it had been a long journey trying to secure promotion and that finally, their efforts have been rewarded.
Dhlamini emphasised that his team was the youngest among the competitors, with some players aged between 15 and 16 years old.

He said: “It was not easy for our boys because if you look at the team, the oldest players were born in 2003, and the rest were born between 2005, 2006, and 2007. But against all odds, we managed to defeat them, and here we are preparing for life in the SAB League.”

Dhlamini further revealed to Sedibeng Ster Sport that within the next two or three seasons, they aim to challenge the league for promotion to the ABC Motsepe League.