Motsepe Foundation Championship welcomes exciting start to 2025

The Motsepe Foundation Championship will mark its return to South African football this weekend with the likes of Durban City, JDR Stars and Orbit College eager to maintain a lofty place at the high end of the league table.

Following a lengthy four-week break, sides in South Africa’s first division will kickstart the second-half of the 2024/25 campaign from Friday to Sunday.

Log leaders Durban City went into the December break with a 2-1 victory against Milford and took their tally to 28 points after 14 matches played.

Now though, the club formerly known as Maritzburg United, will face Hungry Lions at the Chatsworth Stadium on Friday evening. Hungry Lions will be eager to get back to winning ways this month after recording a 1-1 draw with Upington City last time out.

Second-placed JDR Stars have been scheduled to face Baroka FC at the Soshanguve Giant Stadium on Saturday afternoon and will hope to keep up with the pace set by Durban City at the top of the table. While JDR Stars blanked in a 0-0 draw with Orbit College in their last match before the recess, Baroka bagged a morale boosting 4-2 win against Black Leopards at the Global Stadium on the 13th of December.

As it stands, JDR Stars are two points away from the summit while Baroka trail Durban City by six points after matchday 14.

Then, at the other end of the table, 15th placed Leruma United will take on the promotion chasing Orbit College at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday. With just 10 points to their name after 14 matches played, Leruma United will head into their next league assignment on the back of three consecutive defeats.

Fixtures

Friday, 10 January

Durban City vs Hungry Lions

Cape Town Spurs vs Casric Stars

Saturday, 11 January

JDR Stars vs Baroka

Venda Football Academy vs Black Leopards

Leruma United vs Orbit College

Upington City vs Pretoria Callies

Sunday, 12 January

University of Pretoria vs Milford

Kruger United vs Highbury