La liga, Oriented Birds promoted

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - In-form side La liga FC of Knysna and the high-flying Oriented Birds FC of Plettenberg Bay were automatically promoted to the elite Safa Eden Hollywoodbets Regional League for the up-coming 2024/25 season - after giving solid performances in the Safa Eden Inter-Local Football Association (LFA) playoffs held recently in Hessequa/Riversdale.

"Initially La liga were crowned as the Knysna LFA champions in the 2023/24 season, while Oriented Birds fly high with the Plettenberg Bay LFA title," a Safa spokesperson said. La liga, the Woza Woza season two champions, were undefeated after playing five games in two days during the Safa Eden Inter-LFA playoffs.

Oriented Birds soared to the next level after beating Fast Eleven (George) 3-2 in their mouthwatering, last game in the playoffs.

Crucial games

The two crucial games were between Oriented Birds and Fast Eleven, and Young Stars and La liga.

Before these games Fast Eleven, Oriented Birds, and Young Stars were all sitting with seven points on the table.

La liga (Knysna LFA), Oriented Birds (Plettenburg Bay LFA), Fast Eleven (George LFA), Young Stars (Mossel Bay LFA), De Rust United (Oudtshoorn LFA) and the host team, FC Kwano (Riversdale), took part in the Inter-LFA playoffs.

La liga will be the sixth team from the Knysna LFA in the Safa Eden Hollywoodbets Regional League, joining the likes of FC United, Voota FC, Red Eagles, FC Rebels and Smuts United.

Meanwhile, the Oriented Birds development team will be the second team from the Plettenberg Bay LFA playing in the Regional League. The previous season's champions were Bitou Young Pirates.

Safa Eden playoff results (Friday 2 August):