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The 2023/24 Motsepe Foundation Championship season has already started, as 16 teams battle for promotion to the DStv Premiership — but who is most likely to challenge for a place in the top flight?
The South African second tier proved to be incredibly competitive last year as a number of teams fought for the title outright. All of Polokwane City, Cape Town Spurs and Casric Stars finished within one point of one-another in a stunning end to the year.
Ultimately, Polokwane City finished at the summit with 57 points, while the Cape Town Spurs (57 points) and the Casric Stars (56) were left to battle in the play-offs. It was Spurs who were promoted along with Polokwane after they won the play-offs at the expense of Maritzburg United.
This season, Casric Stars will be looking to go one better and finish at the summit, as they try to avoid heartbreak once again. However, are they the team to most likely to be crowned champions?
Last season’s third-placed side are currently 6.00 odds according to Neds for the Championship title this term, which puts them joint-second in the betting with Marumo Gallants. Maritzburg are the current favourites at 4.50.
Maritzburg were relegated form the DStv Premiership in the 2022/23 season along with Gallants, with the former expected to go straight back up to the top division.
The experience of playing in the top league is something that is expected to be advantageous for Maritzburg this year, as they try to ensure they are only missing from the pinnacle of South Africa football for one season.
However, lower divisions can be a lot more competitive at the top of the standings with United likely to have a fight on their hands for promotion.
The interesting mover is the Carsic Stars, who pushed the top-two all the way across the season in an impressive run for the side with 15 wins, 11 draws and four defeats to miss out on finishing level with the top-two by a single point.
The teams least likely to win the Championship, according to the betting odds, are Platinum City, MM Platinum and Upington City FC, who are all 51.00.
MM Platinum are one of the sides that moved into the league following their promotion from the SAFA Second Division last year, while Platinum finished in 14th last term as they were the lowest side outside of the teams that were relegated.
The National First Division in 2022/23 was very tight. Three teams were all battling for top-spot, while the difference between fourth and 12th was just 11 points.
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Will we see another thrilling promotion race?