2025–26 National First Division

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Motsepe Foundation Championship
Season2025–26
ChampionsKruger United
PromotedKruger United
Milford
RelegatedBaroka, Black Leopards
Top goalscorerNtuthuko Mlotshwa, Lerumo Lions (13 goals)[1]

The 2025–26 National First Division (called the Motsepe Foundation Championship for sponsorship reasons) is the season from August 2025 to May 2026 of South Africa's second tier of professional soccer, the National First Division.

It was won by Kruger United.[2] Baroka and Black Leopards were relegated.[3]

Teams

Team changes

The following teams changes took place since the 2024–25 season.

Promoted to 2025–26 Premiership

Relegated from 2024–25 Premiership

Promoted from 2024–25 SAFA Second Division

Relegated from 2024–25 National First Division

Purchases

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Kruger United (C, P) 30 18 8 4 50 34 +16 62 Promotion to Premiership
2 Cape Town City 30 15 9 6 45 23 +22 54 Promotion Play-offs
3 Milford (P) 30 16 6 8 40 24 +16 54
4 Casric Stars 30 14 10 6 46 27 +19 52
5 Hungry Lions 30 14 10 6 41 25 +16 52
6 Highbury 30 12 6 12 30 33 −3 42
7 Upington City 30 10 9 11 35 33 +2 39
8 Lerumo Lions 30 10 9 11 36 36 0 39
9 Venda 30 9 9 12 24 29 −5 36
10 The Bees 30 9 8 13 37 36 +1 35
11 University of Pretoria 30 8 11 11 37 41 −4 35
12 Leicesterford City 30 9 7 14 25 43 −18 34
13 Gomora United 30 6 15 9 28 39 −11 33
14 Midlands Wanderers 30 8 9 13 28 44 −16 33
15 Black Leopards (R) 30 6 10 14 26 38 −12 28 Relegation to ABC Motsepe League
16 Baroka (R) 30 4 8 18 20 43 −23 20
Source: National First Division
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted to PSL; (R) Relegated

Play-offs

Table

Pos Lge Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 NFD Milford 4 2 1 1 3 2 +1 7 Promoted to the 2026-27 Premiership
2 PRE Magesi 4 1 2 1 4 3 +1 5
3 NFD Cape Town City 4 1 1 2 2 4 −2 4
Source: https://www.psl.co.za/tournament/promotion-playoffs
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored;

Results

Home \ Away CTC MAG MIL
Cape Town City — 1–1 0–1
Magesi 2–0 — 1–1
Milford 0–1 1–0 —
Source: https://www.psl.co.za/tournament/promotion-playoffs/]
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

See also

References

  1. Raophala, Mauwane (1 June 2026). "Mlotshwa reflects on Motsepe Foundation Championship Golden Boot triumph". FARPost. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  2. Rabothe, Tshepo (2 May 2026). "Kruger United seal Betway Premiership automatic promotion". FARPost. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  3. Rabothe, Tshepo (10 May 2026). "Black Leopards join Baroka in amateur league, CT City continue promotion chase". FARPost. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  4. bulesitutshana (12 June 2025). "Durban City aim to grow fan base after promotion". The Witness. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  5. Vardien, Tashreeq. "Little-known Orbit College FC seal dream promotion to PSL top flight as CT City relegated". News24. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  6. Meletse, Obakeng (28 November 2013). "Relegation offers Cape Town City a chance to reset and refocus". IOL. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  7. Raophala, Mauwane (6 July 2025). "Gomora United clinch ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs title". FARPost. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  8. Dube, Mthokozisi (24 June 2025). "Double blow for CT Spurs as protest losses confirm relegation". FARPost. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  9. Raophala, Mauwane (31 July 2025). "Lerumo Lions secure PSL status". FARPost. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  10. "JDR Stars Officially Sold And Renamed - Sportswire". 30 July 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.