The ABC Motsepe League is the third tier of South African football and the official second division under the South African Football Association (SAFA). It serves as the bridge between grassroots football and the professional ranks, offering aspiring clubs the opportunity to be promoted into the Motsepe Foundation Championship (formerly the National First Division).
Before the ABC Motsepe League was formalized, lower-tier football in South Africa was regionalized and amateur, with minimal national coordination. Clubs competed in local leagues overseen by SAFA’s regional and provincial structures.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, SAFA established the SAFA Second Division as a national competition framework for provincial and regional winners.
However, it lacked strong funding and media visibility, operating under various provincial names and without a single commercial identity.
In 2014, the league was rebranded as the ABC Motsepe League following a sponsorship agreement with the Motsepe Foundation, founded by Dr. Patrice Motsepe.
The league was officially launched as part of the Foundation’s commitment to supporting community development, job creation, and football growth at grassroots level.
“We want to use football as a tool for uplifting communities and discovering new talent from all corners of the country.” — Dr. Patrice Motsepe
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Tier | 3rd in the national football pyramid (after PSL and NFD) |
| Organizer | South African Football Association (SAFA) |
| Sponsor | Motsepe Foundation |
| Total Teams | 144 |
| Divisions | 9 provincial leagues (aligned with South Africa’s 9 provinces) |
| Teams per Province | 16 |
| Format | Double round-robin within each provincial division |
At the end of each season, the winner of each of the 9 provincial divisions qualifies for the National Promotional Play-offs.
These 9 teams are divided into two geographical streams:
Inland Stream
Coastal Stream
Each stream plays a mini round-robin tournament.
The winner of each stream earns promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship (Second Tier).
Bottom teams from each provincial division are relegated to the SAFA Men’s Regional Leagues (Fourth Tier).
Relegation ensures constant rotation and competitiveness across all tiers.
The ABC Motsepe League plays a pivotal role in:
Identifying grassroots talent in rural areas, townships, and smaller towns
Giving amateur clubs a professional pathway
Supporting football development in historically underserved provinces
Producing future stars who move on to the NFD, PSL, and national teams
The Motsepe Foundation provides funding and prize money for:
Provincial winners
Promotional playoff logistics
Technical support and development
This ensures that even clubs from rural or low-income areas can compete fairly.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded / Rebranded | 2014 (as ABC Motsepe League) |
| Previous Name | SAFA Second Division |
| Total Teams | 144 (16 teams × 9 provinces) |
| Promotion To | Motsepe Foundation Championship (2 teams annually) |
| Relegation To | SAFA Men’s Regional League (4th Tier) |
| Sponsor | Motsepe Foundation |
| Organizer | South African Football Association (SAFA) |
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