African Warriors FC
By Sello Masilo
African Warriors FC has been crowned the provincial champions of the Free State ABC Motsepe League for the 2024/25 season, securing a R500 000 boost from the Free State government to prepare for the national playoffs in June 2025. The team clinched their title after a thrilling match against Mangaung City FC on Sunday, 27 April 2025, at Tokkie Park (CUT Stadium) in Bloemfontein, with the Head of Department for the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Steve Tshabalala, presenting the cheque to support their journey ahead.
A Victory for African Warriors FC
The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation was quick to congratulate African Warriors FC for their outstanding performance in the ABC Motsepe League Season 2024/25. The team clinched the provincial title after a hard-fought match against Mangaung City FC on 27 April 2025. The game, which kicked off at 15:00 at Tokkie Park (CUT Stadium) in Bloemfontein, drew a lively crowd of supporters who paid R20 per ticket to witness the showdown.
African Warriors FC emerged victorious, securing their spot as the Free State champions and earning a chance to compete in the national playoffs in June 2025. This win follows a competitive season in the ABC Motsepe League, which is South Africa’s third tier of football and a crucial stepping stone for teams aiming to reach the National First Division (NFD).
Financial Support for the Road Ahead
In a ceremony following the match, Steve Tshabalala, Head of Department for the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, presented African Warriors FC with a cheque for R500 000. The funds are intended to assist the team with preparations for the national playoffs, covering costs such as travel, accommodation, training camps, and equipment. The Department emphasized its commitment to supporting local talent, stating, “This donation follows donations made by the Department at the beginning of the ABC Motsepe League when 18 teams were each awarded R100 000 each for the overall running of the teams.”
This financial support comes at a crucial time for African Warriors FC, as the national playoffs are a high-stakes competition where provincial champions battle for promotion to the NFD. Historically, the playoffs also offer substantial prize money—R1 million for the winner and R500 000 for the runner-up—alongside the chance to compete at a higher level. The R500 000 cheque from the Free State government, handed over by Steve Tshabalala, provides a strong foundation for the team to prepare effectively and aim for success in June 2025.
A Look Back at Last Year’s Playoffs
Last year, Mangaung Unite FC represented the Free State in the national promotional playoffs held in Upington, Northern Cape. They qualified after defeating FC D’GENERAL 1-0 in the provincial final. However, despite their strong performance, Mangaung Unite FC did not secure promotion, with Eastern Cape’s Highbury FC ultimately winning the 2024 ABC Motsepe National Playoffs by beating Mpumalanga’s Kruger United 2-0 in the final. Highbury FC’s victory earned them a spot in the NFD, while Kruger United also gained promotion as runners-up, along with a R600 000 prize and an additional R250 000 for football development in their region.
This year, African Warriors FC will aim to go one step further than their predecessors, with the Free State government’s financial support giving them a strong foundation to build on as they prepare for the June 2025 playoffs.
Community Pride and Support
The victory of African Warriors FC has sparked celebration across the Free State, with local communities rallying behind the team. Football in the province has long been a source of unity and pride, especially in towns like Bloemfontein, where the sport plays a vital role in bringing people together.
The ANC Kgubetswana Branch also joined the wave of congratulations, though their message was directed at another local team, Tower United FC, which won the Men’s Regional Playoffs in Fouriesburg on 26 April 2025. Branch Secretary Abie Mofokeng said, “ANC Kgubetswana Branch would like to congratulate Tower United FC for winning the Men’s Regional Playoffs that was held on 26 April 2025 in Fouriesburg. We wish them all the best and represent the Region well at the Provincial Play offs for promotion to Free State – ABC Motsepe League.”
Mofokeng highlighted the timing of the victory, noting, “This victory comes a day before a country celebrates Freedom Day, a significant day in South African history and commemoration of the first post apartheid elections on this day in 1994.” He also drew on the words of Nelson Mandela to underline the importance of sport in society, quoting, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” Mandela’s belief that “sport could create hope where once there was only despair” resonated deeply in the context of Tower United FC’s success and the broader football community in the Free State.
Mofokeng further praised the role of Tower United FC’s management, particularly Lerato Mokoena, in “promoting sports and social cohesion in the community of Kgubetswana,” a small town near Clarens known for its tight-knit community.
The Bigger Picture: ABC Motsepe League and South African Football
The ABC Motsepe League, named after its sponsor, the Motsepe Foundation, is a cornerstone of South African football development. It serves as the third tier of the country’s football structure, featuring 144 teams across nine provincial divisions, each with 16 teams. The league is a vital platform for grassroots clubs to rise through the ranks, with the ultimate goal of reaching the professional levels of the National First Division and, eventually, the Premiership.
Each provincial winner, like African Warriors FC, advances to the national playoffs, where they are grouped into two streams. The winners of these streams earn promotion to the NFD, a significant achievement for any club. The financial rewards are also substantial, with past champions, such as Gauteng’s MM Platinum in 2022, walking away with R1.25 million and runners-up like Limpopo’s Magesi FC receiving R600 000. In 2022, league founder Dr Patrice Motsepe announced plans to increase the prize money to R3 million in future seasons to further support youth development and club sustainability.
The Free State has a history of producing competitive teams in the ABC Motsepe League. In 2023, FC Buffalo were crowned Free State champions and represented the province at the national playoffs in Pietermaritzburg, though they did not secure promotion. The province’s football community remains hopeful that African Warriors FC can break through this year and bring pride to the region.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
As African Warriors FC prepares for the national playoffs, they face both challenges and opportunities. The playoffs, typically held over a week, are a gruelling test of skill, stamina, and strategy. Teams are divided into groups for round-robin matches, with the top performers advancing to the semi-finals and, ultimately, the final. The competition is fierce, as every team is vying for the two available promotion spots to the NFD.
The R500 000 from the Free State government will help African Warriors FC cover costs such as travel, accommodation, and training camps, which are essential for performing at their best. However, the team will also need to contend with strong opponents from provinces like Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape, which have historically produced playoff contenders.
Beyond the immediate goal of promotion, the success of African Warriors FC could have a lasting impact on football in the Free State. A strong showing in the playoffs could inspire more young players to take up the sport, while also attracting investment and sponsorship to the region’s clubs. The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation’s support signals a commitment to nurturing talent at the grassroots level, which could pave the way for future successes.
Voices from the Community
The victory has resonated deeply with fans and residents of Bloemfontein. A local supporter, Thabo Mokone, who attended the match at Tokkie Park, shared his excitement: “It was an amazing game! African Warriors played with so much heart. We’re so proud of them, and we’ll be cheering them on in the playoffs.” Another fan, a young aspiring footballer named Lerato, said, “I want to be like the players of African Warriors one day. They show us that we can dream big, even from a place like Bloemfontein.”
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