Ex-Premiership teams off to false starts in Motsepe Foundation Championship

Former Premiership sides Baroka, Black Leopards and TTM were off to false stars on the opening weekend of the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

It was certainly not the start Black Leopards wanted at their new home Malamulele Stadium when they went down 1-0 to Hungry Lions.

Leopards, who were relegated at the end of the 2020/21 season, relocated from Thohoyandou Stadium and packed their new home to the rafters.

Baroka, axed from the topflight last season, also succumbed to defeat at their new home.

Bakgaga went down 2-1 to Uthongathi on Sunday afternoon. 

Another former topflight side Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila went down 2-0 to renamed Casric FC.

Pretoria University, who missed out on qualification last season after featuring in the playoffs, started off with a goalless draw against Polokwane City.

Newly promoted La Masia and JDR marked the start of the second-tier division on Friday afternoon.

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Augustine Mahlonoko, who is looking to revive his career in the Motsepe Foundation, was on target as they won 2-0.

Rebranded All Stars, who relocated from Cape Town to Gauteng, started on a high when they beat Platinum City Rovers on the road at Olen Park. They won the game 1-0.

On Saturday, Cape Town Spurs played a 1-1 draw with Pretoria Callies at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. 

Newly promoted Motsepe Foundation side Magesi put on an electrifying performance, beating Venda Football Academy 1-0 to mark a good start to the season. 

The first round of the newly-named Motsepe Foundation Championship produced just 12 goals, with six wins and two draws. 

Fixtures

La Masia 2-0 JDR Stars

City Rovers 0-1 All Stars

PTA Callies 1-1 CT Spurs

Leopards 0-1 Hungry Lions 

Magesi 1-0 VFA

Baroka 1-2 Uthongathi 

Tuks 0-0 Polokwane City

Casric Stars 2-0 TTM