Third-tier soccer scores with R40m from Motsepe

SAFA'S Eastern Cape executive committee has welcomed billionaire Patrice Motsepe's financial sponsorship of the country's third highest football division, formerly known as the Safa Second Division League.

The Mamelodi Sundowns owner has again committed himself to soccer development by investing a total of R40-million in the league over the next five years. The third- tier league, played by 144 teams in all nine provinces, has been without a sponsor following the decision by Vodacom not to renew it in 2011.

The league will be known as the ABC Motsepe League, named after the mining magnate's late father, a staunch Orlando Pirates supporter who died in 2007 at the age of 92.

The Motsepe Foundation has added a condition that six under-21 players must be included and play in all matches.

Safa provincial general secretary Isaac Klaas said the money would boost the standard of Eastern Cape teams in the league.

The full details of how the money will be spent are not yet known. But the winners of each province will contest playoffs, with the top two sides being promoted into the full professional ranks. They will be awarded R1-million each and the runners-up will pocket R500 000.

Highbury coach Garth Dickinson said: "I am happy for the system of introducing under-21 players because in reality the league is for development of young players."

But Dickinson warned that the league would be faced with the challenge of age-cheating.

This was an issue that needed to be addressed quickly, he said. -