It has been a spectacular weekend for North West football enthusiasts! Three soccer teams from the province have successfully secured promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship (NFD) – the country’s second-tier professional league – following their impressive performances at the ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs held from 1 June to 7 June 2026 in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.
The North West province will now have three clubs in South Africa’s professional leagues next season, with the NWU Soccer Institute (NWU Eagles) and Lerumo Lions joining Orbit College FC, which was recently relegated from the Betway Premiership after just a single season in the top flight.
Their relegation was confirmed on the final day of the 2025/2026 season following a 2–0 defeat against current Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates.
North-West University has congratulated its Soccer Institute (NWU Eagles) head coach, Nkululeko Malgas, and his technical team on a major achievement and promotion, which places the team a single step away from the elite Betway Premiership.
According to the university, the achievement is also a landmark moment for its football programme, as over the years it has built a reputation as one of the country’s leading university football structures, producing talented players while competing consistently at the highest level of university football.
North-West University’s Communications Manager, Sefako Oscar Mosiane, said the institution is proud of the team’s historic achievement.
“For the players, promotion is a reward for a season of consistency and resilience. For the university, it is validation of years of investment in football development. For supporters, it is a moment they will remember for years to come,” said Mosiane.
With promotion secured, the NWU now turns its attention to the national final, where one last challenge awaits. One more victory would crown the NWU Eagles as champions of the 2026 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs.
