PSL to Request Promotion of Three ABC Motsepe League Teams to Fill Royal AM Void in Motsepe Foundation Championship
Johannesburg – In response to the sudden removal of Royal AM from the Betway Premiership by the Board of Governors (BOG) which means Thwihli Thwahla won’t form part of any proffesional ranks including the Motsepe Foundation Championship, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) is preparing to formally request the South African Football Association (SAFA) to promote three teams from the ABC Motsepe League—instead of the usual two—in a move aimed at stabilizing the structure of the second-tier league for the upcoming season.
This decision comes after Royal AM’s status in the Motsepe Foundation Championship was declared vacant, following a series of unresolved issues surrounding the club’s administration and compliance. With the 2025/26 campaign on the horizon, the PSL is prioritizing continuity and balance within the league system.
According to SABC Sports, despite speculation that Royal AM’s exit might trigger a reshuffle across all levels of South African football, the PSL has clarified that the Betway Premiership will not be expanded to 18 teams. The top flight will continue with its current 16-team format, a structure the league believes maintains a competitive and commercially viable product.
Under normal circumstances, only two teams gain promotion from the ABC Motsepe League via the national playoffs. However, the PSL is expected to ask SAFA to approve the promotion of three teams for the 2025/26 season—an unprecedented but necessary step to address the imbalance.
This request, once formally submitted, will be reviewed by SAFA’s Competitions Committee, which oversees the promotion and relegation processes. If approved, it could mark a unique opportunity for clubs vying for promotion in the ABC Motsepe League playoffs, increasing the stakes and potentially offering hope to a third-place finisher.
The PSL remains firm on maintaining the structure and integrity of both the Betway Premiership and the Motsepe Foundation Championship. League officials have stressed that decisions being made are not reactionary but are part of a broader strategy to uphold the professional standard of South African football.
The PSL is expected to finalize its official submission to SAFA in the coming days. Once the proposal is reviewed, SAFA will likely make an announcement regarding the adjusted promotion system from the ABC Motsepe League.
As South African football enters a transitional moment, the PSL’s swift action signals a proactive approach to league management—ensuring that both players and fans can look forward to another exciting season, with fairness and competitiveness at its core.