Mkambadeli Heroes FC celebrate after they won the 2025/2026 Safa Thabo Mofutsanyana Hollywood men’s league championship.
By Tladi Moloi
Harrismith
Mkambadeli Heroes FC were crowned the champions of the 2025/2026 Safa Thabo Mofutsanyana Hollywood men’s league after they beat Juventus by 4-3 in the penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in a dramatic finale that was played at the Patberg stadium in Harrismith on Saturday.
The two teams advanced to the finals of the regional inter-play-offs after they defeated Harrismith Aces FC and Hackette Vultures FC in the semifinals. Juventus knocked out Aces by 4-3 on penalties after they played 2-2 in 90 minutes while Heroes narrowly defeated the 10-man Vultures by 2-1.
Heroes and Juventus have qualified for the Safa Free State Hollywood promotional play-offs to be staged in Thabo Mofutsanyana district later this month. However the two had to go on a date to produce a 2025/2026 winner.
The final started with both teams attacking each other in search of an early goal but it was Juventus who squandered many opportunities before the interval break.
The game produced fireworks in the second half with players from the bench changing the game. Heroes’ chance to open the scoring from an awarded penalty a few minutes into the interval was denied by Juventus experienced goalminder Neo Motloung when his stretched leg put it over the crossbar resulting in a corner kick. Soon after that chance the opponents scored when Sabelo Dladla connected with a telling cross from Kamohelo Mokoena to make it 1-0.
Tefo Mokgatla of Heroes equalized after a goalkeeper blunder resulting in a 1-1. Mokoena, who was a marvel to watch, netted the second goal for Juventus deep into the second half, 2-1. When everyone thought the game was over, Tshepang Ndaba rescued his side when he scored an equaliser during referee’s optional time to send the game into the penalty’s shootout, 2-2.
Heroes came into the play-offs as best runners-up when on to win the game with 4-3 on penalties.
Vusimuzi “Zoa” Motloung, Heroes Head coach said he was happy to win the league and added that they still have to work hard to win the play-offs.
“We are not done yet. The big assignment is to reach the final stage of the provincial play-offs and get promoted to the next league. We are going back to the drawing board and believe you, we will fight to the end with the performance,” he said.
