Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) have secured their place in the Limpopo ABC Motsepe League after coming from behind to beat Gosebo United 3–2 in a dramatic relegation playoff at Oscar Mpetha Stadium on Sunday.
The playoff was arranged after the SAFA Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) resolved to halt Black Leopards’ participation in the ABC Motsepe League pending the finalisation of the club’s ongoing matter before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
With Black Leopards’ status unresolved, SAFA Limpopo scheduled a playoff between TTM and Gosebo United, who had both finished second from bottom in their respective streams during the previous season.
The match itself was preceded by lengthy uncertainty, with Gosebo United arriving at the venue well before kick-off and completing their warm-up while TTM were nowhere to be seen.
TTM eventually arrived shortly before the scheduled start, with coach Muchichwa also present. A meeting involving officials from both teams followed, with disagreements over player cards delaying the start of the match.
Verbal exchanges continued as the officials and teams attempted to resolve the issue, with the game eventually getting underway after the sides agreed to proceed.
Once the football started, Gosebo took the lead in the 17th minute after capitalising on a poor reading of the ball by the TTM defence.
TTM gradually found their rhythm and came close to an equaliser before ‘Tata’ restored parity in the 41st minute, punishing Gosebo after the home side were caught sleeping.
The teams went into the break level at 1–1, although TTM looked the more threatening side in attack.
That attacking threat continued after the restart as TTM completed their turnaround in the 55th minute to take a 2–1 lead.
Gosebo struggled to contain TTM on the counter, and the latter extended their advantage in the 78th minute to make it 3–1.
Gosebo refused to give up and pulled a goal back in the 85th minute, setting up a tense final five minutes.
However, TTM held on to secure a 3–2 victory and, with it, their place in the Limpopo ABC Motsepe League for the upcoming season.
The result also allows SAFA Limpopo to finalise the league’s 24-team composition and determine the streaming of clubs for the new campaign.
The provincial body had postponed its preseason meeting and Nedbank Cup draw, initially scheduled for Friday, 28 August, to allow the playoff to be concluded.
The meeting and Nedbank Cup draw have now been moved to Thursday, 3 September 2026, at 15:00 at Zororo Lodge, while the Nedbank Cup is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday, 9 September.
TTM’s victory means Gosebo United will now have to make way, while the outcome of the CAS matter will determine whether Black Leopards can return to the provincial league in the future.
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