Alexandra’s Ma-Afrika FC survives a ‘tough’ maiden season outside LFA
Now that Ma-Afrika FC has explored the Johannesburg Men's Regional League, the next step is to consolidate and make use of the lessons leant along the way, says club chairperson Khathu Ramovha.
Ma-Afrika FC managed to survive its tough maiden season in the Johannesburg Men’s Regional League and has vowed to come back stronger next season after lessons learnt.
This was the view of the club chairperson Khathu Ramovha during an interview with Alex News to review the side’s first run in the league which he described as ‘tough but with important lessons to learn especially taking cognisance of the fact that this was our maiden season’.
Unaware of what to expect in the league, Ramovha said they had given the team a mandate to ‘go and explore and I can confirm mission accomplished and that we look forward to a new season better than the foregone one, but hopefully a more rewarding second season’.
“One of the hardest lessons we learnt was that the league is financially draining as we have to fork out money for the referees, grounds used, and travel costs for the team etc. We survived through the grace of the Almighty and the unwavering financial backing of our partners and board members.
“One of the pillars of our strengths is that we operate as a collective and that makes us a formidable side that can quickly and easily raise money when it’s needed and that’s how we managed to survive with all those unforeseen expenses that we were not accustomed to,” Ramovha said.
The team finished the season at position 15 in the league which comprises 20 teams drawn out in five streams and four will be relegated. The winners then go into mini-region play-offs and then the regional play-offs to decide qualification for the ABC Motsepe League.
For the coming season after taking into consideration lessons leant, Ramovha said the squad of players would certainly be reinforced ‘but without an overhaul that can temper with the rhythm of the team we have nurtured so far’.
“We don’t need wholesale changes because that may disturb the foundation we have already made and including our system of play. We need a goalkeeper, right back, two solid midfielders, a winger and one more striker.”
Asked where they will source the new players, Ramovha said the LFA [local football association] was rich with talent and the ultimate goal of the LFA was to develop players from Alex hence first preference will be given to local players. “Remember, we have a very strong mandate in the LFA to develop our children before others from other townships.”
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