Barberton All Stars qualify for SAB league

Barberton All Stars FC will compete in the fourth tier of domestic football in the South African football pyramid, which is the South African Breweries (SAB) Regional League, following their impressive run in the Umjindi Local Football Association Promotional League play-offs.

They thrashed Shiyalongubo FC 1-0 at the KaNyamazane Stadium on Saturday.

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Barberton All Stars had a really great debut season in the regional stream A section and were crowned champions. The team played the champions of stream B, Shiyalongubo FC, in an effort to qualify for the SAB League. That puts them just one step away from reaching the ABC Motsepe League, which would give them a shot to qualify for the Glad-Africa Championship.

“The fact that we won the game and earned a spot in the SAB league delights me. Since it was our first time playing against them, we had little knowledge of our opponents, making it a difficult game,” said the head coach, Bongani Shakes Ntombela.

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“We came prepared with a strategy to take control in the opening 15 minutes, but they were alert and were able to foil our plan. In order for our players to simply attack and infiltrate our opponents, we adjusted our approach. We added more players with experience playing grass football, and that was the turning point of the game, and it worked to our advantage. This is a great opportunity for the lads to enhance their skills and they will definitely make it to the elite league.”

A member of the club’s management, Thabiso Ngomane, said, “As the board of this club, we are really proud, because this is only our first season, but we have accomplished so much in it. Many youngsters in Barberton have benefited from the team’s development and many players have been taken off the streets. A team needs many resources. We all chip in whatever way we can, simply out of love of the game, in order for the team to participate in competitions and have quality equipment. Last but not least, I want to express my thanks to the technical staff, the players, and Bongani Mazibuko, with whom I have a superb working relationship. Together, we are a great sponsorship to the club and have the biggest gratitude to the community for their unwavering love and support.”