It’s that time of the year again when nine provincial representatives from the Sasol League will battle it out for the two coveted spots so as to gain promotion into the Hollywoodbets Super League in the 2023 season.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) in partnership with their proud sponsors, Sasol, today launched the 2022 edition of the Sasol League National Championship which is set to kick off on Tuesday, 18 October 2022 in Polokwane, Limpopo.
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan said the Sasol League National Championship has unearthed numerous stars over the years and more will be given an opportunity to step into the spotlight.
“The Sasol League National Championship has become a key event in our football calendar. For years now the championship has become a breeding ground for future Banyana Banyana players. Most of the current Banyana Banyana players who conquered the continent during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco recently were identified in this annual tournament, and we are confident that more future Thembi Kgatlanas and Jermaine Seoposenwes will be unearthed during the upcoming tournament,” Dr Jordaan told SAFA.net.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sasol for being reliable partners in the phenomenal growth of women football. Sasol is proverbially putting their money where their mouth is.”
The group stage matches, as well as the knockout stages, will be played at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, while the new Peter Mokaba Stadium is scheduled to host the final.
The previous edition of the tournament was held in Durban, where Cape Town’s Vasco da Gama were crowned champions with City Lads Ladies of Gqeberha finished as runners-up – both were promoted to top flight women’s football, the Hollywoodbets Super League.
“We are excited to be hosting our annual Sasol League National Championship and that we will be in Limpopo to crown the 2022 Diski Queens. What excites me the most is that we will be able to host fans at this year’s games. Sasol’s support for women’s football spans over 13 and we have seen what it can do – with Banyana Banyana qualifying for major tournaments (the Olympics and the World Cup), but all of that had to start somewhere – and that is where the Sasol League comes in,” said Nozipho Mbatha, Sasol Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorships.
“When we partnered with SAFA a few years ago, we had discovered the gap and needed to be key custodians in women’s football – to create a hub that would nurture and develop the passion for women’s football players. We have so many success stories to tell as players continue to live the impossible while showcasing their talents on the field as they strive for a place in professional football. As with the many tournaments before, we believe that this year’s championship will unearth new talent, and I encourage all players to fight hard on the field as they could be spotted by coaches and talents scouts of the national teams.”
City Lads and Vasco are currently in positions 12th and 14th on the Hollywoodbets Super League respectively, and appear to be safe from the axe, for now with around 10 matches remaining.
For the first time in the history of the League, there will be relegation and promotion – and for the moment Tsunami Queens and Golden Ladies are in grave danger.
The teams waiting in the wings at the National Play-offs are:
- Easter Cape – Sophakama – PE
- Free State – Central University Technology (CUT) – Bloemfontein
- Gauteng – Tuks Ladies – Pretoria
- KZN – Sunflower vs Lindelani (8th October decider)
- Limpopo – Copperbelt FC – Polokwane (hosts – part of the 2021 Competition)
- Mpumalanga – TS Galaxy – Nkomazi (part of the 2021 competition)
- Northern Cape – Royal Wizzards – Kimberly (was in the 2021 competition)
- North West – NW Tawana vs The Bold and the Beautiful FC – Potchefstroom/Vryburg
- Western Cape – Dangerous Hero Ladies
** The representatives of the KwaZulu Natal and the North West provinces are still undecided but will have been confirmed by the start of competition.
The teams will arrive in Polokwane from Monday, 17 October, with matches commencing the next day (Tuesday, 18 October).
The final will be played on Sunday, 23rd October.
The third-placed team will walk away with R60.000.00 (sixty-thousand rand), while the second will pocked R100.000.00 (one-hundred-thousand rand) and the winners will bank R200.000.00 (two-hundred-thousand rand).
Fans are urged to come in numbers to the matches as tickets are available for free.
By Matlhomola Morake
