06-07-2025
Gomora edges Midlands to secure promotion to Motsepe Foundation Championship
Gomora United FC took on Midlands Wanderers in a tense ABC Motsepe League national playoff semi-final at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, on July 5. Gomora United, representing Gauteng, defeated Midlands, representing KwaZulu-Natal, 1–0, sealing their promotion to the second tier of South African football.
Read more: ARMSTA shows support for Gomora United FC
On Saturday evening, the stakes were high, with both teams gunning for promotion. The first half ended in a stalemate, with neither team able to break the deadlock despite promising chances. Gomora United nearly took the lead, just under eight minutes after a handball by Midlands' player Philani Khumalo inside the box resulted in a penalty.
Captain Thapelo Maleka stepped up to convert, hoping to give Gomora an early lead, but Midlands' goalkeeper, Ngobani Langa, blocked the spot kick, stretching far enough to tip the ball off to the left post. Gomora maintained momentum, while Midlands pressed forward with their own attacking threats.
Early in the second half, Midlands conceded another penalty when Siduduzo Dlamini fouled Siyabonga Mashinini inside the box. This gave Maleka the opportunity to redeem himself, after missing the first penalty. Langa was left standing still after Maleka's powerful spot kick to the left, giving Gomora the lead at just under 67 minutes. Midlands searched desperately for an equaliser, but could not find the breakthrough, despite their repeated attempts to score.
Although they lost against Gomora, Midlands' hope for promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship are not entirely shattered. They will have another shot at promotion through the third/fourth place playoff. This is because an additional team from the ABC Motsepe League has to be promoted to fill the void left by Royal AM's exit from the professional ranks.
Gomora United's win against Midlands, and The Bees victory against Thames FC, guarantees their promotion. The two semi-final victors will go head-to-head in the finals on July 6.
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