Four of Limpopo’s leading football clubs will put the finishing touches to their preparations for the 2026/27 campaign when they battle for provincial supremacy in the inaugural Mafori Cup at Seshego Stadium on Saturday, July 26.
The one-day pre-season tournament will feature Betway Premiership outfits Polokwane City and Sekhukhune United, together with Motsepe Foundation Championship sides Magesi FC and Venda FC, in what promises to be a competitive dress rehearsal ahead of the new domestic season.
The opening semi-final will see Polokwane City take on Sekhukhune United at 09:00, before Magesi FC face Venda Academy in the second semi-final at 11:00. The two losing semi-finalists will share third place, while the winners will contest the final at 15:00. The tournament will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
The stakes are high, with the champions walking away with R250 000 and the Mafori Cup trophy. The runners-up will earn R150 000, while the two losing semi-finalists will each receive R100 000.
Polokwane City will be aiming to build on an impressive 2025/26 season under head coach Phuti Mohafe, who guided Rise and Shine into the MTN8. The club has retained the core of the squad while strengthening selected positions during the transfer window as they prepare for another challenging Premiership campaign.
Sekhukhune United arrive with renewed ambition after appointing Cedric Kaze as head coach. Babina Noko have also reinforced their squad with several new signings during the off-season as they look to compete strongly in both domestic competitions and continental football. The Mafori Cup will give Kaze a valuable opportunity to assess combinations before the league kicks off.
Relegated Magesi FC are determined to make an immediate return to the Betway Premiership. New coach, Kabelo Sibiya
has been entrusted with rebuilding the side, while several new recruits have been brought in to strengthen the squad for the Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign.
Venda Academy, who narrowly missed out on the promotion race last season, have also refreshed their squad and will be eager to prove they can challenge both top-flight opponents and fellow Championship rivals in the tournament.
With provincial pride, prize money and momentum for the new season all on the line, supporters can expect an entertaining day of football as Limpopo’s leading clubs battle for the first-ever Mafori Cup title.