Orbit captain Batsi reveals retirement plan

Orbit captain Batsi reveals retirement plan

Recently promoted Orbit College captain Atisang Batsi has revealed to LimSportsZone his plan for retirement from football. The 41-year-old led Mswenko Boys from North West to a Motsepe Foundation Championship promotion at the recently concluded ABC Motsepe League National playoffs in KZN.

Orbit defeated North West University FC in the inter-provincial playoffs to qualify for the national playoffs. They were drawn in Group C alongside Mlambo Royal Cubs from Mpumalanga and Mpheni Home Defenders from Limpopo.

ALSO READ: Upington City crowned ABC Motsepe League Champions

They qualified for the semifinals as the best number two in the group stages. Mswenko Boys played against the host, Umsinga United in the semi-final and they [Orbit College FC] won by 1-0 to book themselves in the final and subsequently promoted to the first division.

They, unfortunately, lost 3-1 to Upington City in the final at Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday. Despite their loss, Atisang Batsi was voted the best player of the tournament. He walked away with R100 000 for his efforts. He also told this publication that he will hang his boots after the 2023/24 season.

ATISANG BATSI RETIREMENT PLANS

“I think one more season will be enough for me. Next season I will play for the last time and after that I will hang my boots,” he told LimSportsZone.

“I will retire as a happy man because I, together with the technical team and my teammates promoted the club from ABC Motsepe League to Motsepe Foundation Championship.”‘

By Banele Hlakanyana

SAFA condemns violent acts at ABC Motsepe playoffs 

SAFA condemns violent acts at ABC Motsepe playoffs 

Football motherbody, SAFA has strongly condemned violent acts that erupted at the ABC Motsepe League National playoffs on Friday.

The chaotic scenes took place at the end of a semifinal match between Umsinga United and Orbit College at Harry Gwala Stadium. 

Umsinga fans stormed onto the pitch after their club was eliminated in the ABC Motsepe League playoffs semifinal stage by Orbit College. The host side were favourites to seal one of the two spots in the Motsepe Foundation Championship next season.

ALSO READ: ABC Motsepe National Playoffs draw revealed

But it wasn’t to be as the North West side beat them 1-0 in a tightly contested match. Orbit will now face Upington fellow PSL club in the final on Sunday at the same venue. 

SAFA condemns violent acts at ABC Motsepe League National playoffs
Umsinga United fans

SAFA CONDEMNS VIOLENT

“The South African Football Association (SAFA) strongly condemns the violent acts of hooliganism and thuggery. That took place during the ABC Motsepe National Playoffs semi-finals on Friday (9 June 2023) afternoon in Pietermaritzburg.”

“We have asked security and the referee for a full report and we will prioritise the investigation into this incident.

“We will vigorously pursue this matter and any individual or club that is found to be guilty will be banned for these senseless acts. Such hooliganism has no place in football,” they said in a statement. 

Mpheni fail to secure Motsepe Foundation promotion

Mpheni fail to secure Motsepe Foundation promotion

Setback for Limpopo as Mpheni home Defenders fail to gain promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship after a 3-2 loss to Upington City in the ABC Motsepe League national playoffs on Friday. The match ended 1-1 during regulation time.

ALSO READ: ABC Motsepe League national playoffs to go ahead

The Limpopo side qualified for the semifinals after finishing top of Group C alongside Orbit College. Both sides had four points each after two matches.

Mpheni Home Defenders fail to secure Motsepe Foundation Championship promotion during ABC Motsepe League national playoffs
Mpheni Home Defenders against Upington City

MPHENI HOME DEFENDERS FAIL TO GET PROMOTED

They will now have to come back to the Limpopo ABC Motsepe League for another season. Upington City on the other hand will compete in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. The Northern Cape side were formed only two seasons ago.

In the other match starting at 15:00 Umsinga United will take on Orbit College. The winner will secure automatic qualification to the PSL as of next season and a place in the final on Sunday.

More to follow…