EASTERN Cape Sasol League teams are gearing up for the brand new 2025 season, which is set to kick off next month. The 18 teams from two different streams in the Sasol League have already started their preparations, aiming to help players regain their fitness after the recent festive season holidays.
Some teams in the division are using their pre-season camps to reinforce and refresh their squads before the start of the season. Executive Ladies from Ntabankulu are among the teams that recently hosted open trials to strengthen their team in the goalkeeping, midfield, and striking departments.
Last week, the South African Football Association (SAFA) provincial office announced in a meeting that the Sasol League season will start on March 29, 2025, and clubs should be ready. This announcement comes after many teams in the division had already begun preparing for the 2025 season, which is expected to be more competitive and exciting.
Last season, Gqeberha’s Sophakama Ladies and Executive Ladies from Ntabankulu were the only teams to finish their season without a single defeat on the log standings. Both teams topped their streams with an impressive points tally and went into the decider game unbeaten. In the decider game, Sasol League Inland Stream champions, Executive Ladies, were defeated 2-1 by Sasol League Coastal Stream champions, Sophakama Ladies, who then had the opportunity to represent Eastern Cape in the National Sasol League promotion playoffs. However, they failed to gain promotion to the Hollywoodbets Super League, meaning the battle to qualify for national promotion playoffs will continue this season.
Among the teams expected to compete strongly for a promotion playoff place this season are Executive Ladies, Sophakama Ladies, Eastern Cape Peace Lovers FC, Ayakha Stars FC, Nav Galaxy FC, and Bay Stars Ladies. All these teams performed well last season, finishing in the top three in each stream. Thunderbirds Ladies from Butterworth, who were relegated last season from the Hollywoodbets Super League, are also expected to work hard in their aim to return to the Hollywoodbets Super League next season.
