THE PLAYER from Kruger United, Khethukuthula “Jaguar” Ndlovu, believes that it is in their hands to fulfill the wish of the chairman of this team to see it promoted to the Betway Premiership.
Kruger sits at the top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship log with 55 points after 28 games. It opened a gap of eight points between itself and Milford FC and Hungry Lions who followed with 47 in second and third place. They need just three points from the remaining three games to become the 2025/26 Motsepe Championship champions.
Its home game against Black Leopards today at 3 pm at KaNyamazane Stadium, KaNyamazane, is likely to be a milestone for Kruger by moving up to the Premiership.
If this team from Bushbuckridge, in its second season in the Motsepe Championship, succeeds in going up to the Premiership, it will be the second in the Mpumalanga province. Currently this state only hits TS Galaxy.
Ndlovu, who played two seasons in Royal AM, is one of the players with experience of playing in the Premiership that Kruger strengthened its squad with before the start of this season.
Among them are Wandisile Letlabika, Morne Nel, Kagiso Malinga, Celimpilo “Zidane” Ngema, Sipho Sibiya who is the captain, Tercious Malepe, and goalkeeper Philasande Manqele who is on loan from Richards Bay FC.
In the January window, they also strengthened the squad with Ntsako “Neverdie” Makhubela and Lindokuhle “Ma-11” Mtshali.
“It’s close to the future, and every player in the team understands the importance of winning the game we’re going to play against Black Leopards, even though we know it won’t be an easy game as it’s also fought from the ground up.
But what we have committed ourselves to is that we fight like lions, give our last strength and fulfill the wish of our chairman (Basil Khoza) to see the team promoted to the Betway Premiership.
We have fought so hard that we can’t throw it away after working so hard. It is now in our hands to end the conflict,” said Ndlovu, who hails from Bathenjini, Msinga.
Ndlovu is one of the players who were left homeless last season when Royal AM was kicked out by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) due to the charges they were facing for owing the tax collector, SARS.
Apart from Kruger who have placed themselves in the Premiership, the teams that still have a chance to secure a place in the PSL Promotion Play-Offs are Milford, Hungry Lions, Cape Town City and Casric Stars.
The battle between Leopards, Midlands Wanderers, and The Bees is still in full swing.
Leopards in 15th place on the log may be in danger of following their hosts from Limpopo Baroka FC who have already been relegated.
Motsepe Foundation Championship Games:
Today – At 3pm:
Milford FC v The Bees (Umhlathuze Sports Complex); Hungry Lions v Upington City (Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium); Kruger United v Black Leopards (KaNyamazane Stadium); University of Pretoria v Lerumo Lions (Tuks Stadium)
Tomorrow – At 3pm:
Venda FC v Leicesterford City (Thohoyandou Stadium); Cape Town City v Gomora United (Athlone Stadium)