Smuts smite competition

SEDGEFIELD SOCCER NEWS - Smutsville-based soccer club Smuts United in Sedgefield have been crowned the winners of the 2019/20 KLFA Domestic League season, having stood top of the log when the league was interrupted by the lockdown in March.

By that time, 10 of the teams in the Knysna Local Football Association's (KLFA) Domestic League had played 21 of their scheduled 30 games, whereas Flamingo FC, FC Rebels, African Eagles and Slow Town had played only 20 matches and Hot Spurs and Crossroads stood at 19 games played.

While there would have been hopes that the league would resume among those who were still in with a chance of challenging the title, earlier this month the KLFA's committee declared the last log standings as final.

This meant Smuts United were crowned champions, while Hot Spurs and Crossroads were relegated to the Super League. The rest of the top four in the league was made up of Red Eagles (2nd), Flamingo FC (3rd), and Young Boys (4th). The two teams that will be promoted from the Super League will be Young Stars (1st) and United Brothers (2nd).

Smuts' crowning as champions means they will now represent the KLFA in the play-offs for a position in the Safa Eden SAB Regional League. They will compete against the champions of the Eden District's five other local football association (LFA) leagues - Kannaland, Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Oudtshoorn and Bitou.

The play-offs will take place on 21 and 22 November at Bridgton Sport Grounds in Oudtshoorn.

Smuts United players line up to shake hands before a match. Photo: Blake Linder

Smuts United captain Ashley Melite, while pleased that they won the league, is still wary of the challenge that lies ahead.

"Very, very happy that we won the league, but we are not settled yet, because the play-offs still lie ahead and it's a tough new challenge," he said.

They have been training at the village green and on the beach whenever possible. "We've rested for a very long while, so we need to get that fitness and stamina back up again. But, we are making good progress and look forward to what lies ahead."

Smuts United players engage in prayer before a match. Photo: Blake Linder