SAFA NMB SAB Regional League reigning champions, Motherwell Academy, failed to qualify to play in the 2021-22 ABC Motsepe League season, following their bad start to the SAFA EC Inter-Regional Promotional Play-offs on June 26 and 27.
The teams from eight Eastern Cape regions were divided into two groups.
Group A’s sides were Mighty Eagles from OR Tambo District, EMI FC from Joe Gqabi, Thohoyandou FC from Alfred Nzo and MARU FC from Sarah Baartman/Cacadu. Motherwell Academy were in Group B with Seven Stars from Chris Hani, Relatives FC from Buffalo City Municipality and Musketeers FC from Amathole District.
Things started to fall apart after Motherwell Academy crashed 5-0 to Seven Stars in the opening clash. The hosts in their game against Relatives FC, won 2–1.
Then the hot favourites, MARU FC, also could not accomplish their goal of campaigning in ABC Motsepe League after they could not taste any victory in their games. MARU lost 3-2 to Mighty Eagles, in their opening game and they drew 3-3 with EMI FC.
Thohoyandou and Seven Stars will campaign in the ABC Motsepe League next season, after they ended on top of their Group A and Group B respectively. The road of Alfred Nzo District side to the top-flight football started after they drew 1-1 with EMI FC in their first game and they defeated Mighty Eagles in their last game. Following their 5-0 win over Motherwell Academy in their first game, Stars ended the play-offs in a grand style after they edged out Musketeers 2-1 in their tough battle.
