Subs secure promotion in Aliwal North

SWARTKOPS Valley United Brothers (Subs) did the Bay proud in Aliwal North at the weekend.

The Motherwell outfit successfully negotiated the Safa SAB Provincial League playoffs and won promotion to the 2014-15 ABC Motsepe League.

Subs, who won the Safa-NMB SAB League in a nail-biting finish last month, will join local teams Highbury, Real City and Morning Stars in the provincial league.

In the group stage, Subs drew 0-0 with hosts Junior Chiefs from Joe Gqabi Municipality. They then beat the University of Fort Hare 1-0 and Shiloh from the Buffalo City Metro 2-0.

Chiefs also beat Shiloh 1-0 but earned soft points when Fort Hare failed to turn up for their match.

With Subs and Chiefs tied on goal difference and having shared the points in their head-to- head clash they had to play a decider.

A goal in the first half by Zusake Sale was enough to propel Subs into the senior league.

"I had no doubt that we would win [promotion]," Subs' Bongani Zondani said.

"We had wonderful support, especially from the clubs in Motherwell.

"Since the end of the domestic season we trained three times a week and played friendlies against Real City, who play in the Motsepe League, Ikamva Movers, who just won promotion to the Safa-NMB League, and against a combined Motherwell team.

"We owe it to all of them," he said.

Safa-NMB president Monde Mhlethywa was equally elated.

"We are proud that for two successive years a team from the metro has been promoted," he said.

"It proves that we do have quality, and with four teams in the league, travelling costs will be reduced.

"We urge the private sector and government in our area to support these teams so that we can have our first division team.

"The latest development also means the metro has a strong player base to support Chippa United.

"Congratulations to Subs FC and thanks to everyone who supported them," Mhlethywa said.

Subs will be joined in the senior league by Group A winners Mthatha City. They will replace Red Stars and OR Tambo Cosmos, who have been relegated to their respective municipalities. -p Mogan Segadavan