The 2022–23 SAFA Second Division (known as the ABC Motsepe League for sponsorship reasons) was the 25th season of the

SAFA Second Division The SAFA Second Division (known as the ABC Motsepe League for sponsorship reasons, and previously the Vodacom League between 1998 and 2012, was founded in 1998 as the overall third tier of South African association football, football. The compet ...

, the third tier for South African association football clubs, since its establishment in 1998. Due to the size of South Africa, the competition was split into nine divisions, one for each region. After the league stage of the regional competition was completed, the nine winning teams of each regional division entered the playoffs. Upington City from the

Northern Cape The Northern Cape ( ; ; ) is the largest and most sparsely populated Provinces of South Africa, province of South Africa. It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley, South Africa, Kimberley. It includes ...

, and Orbit College from the North West qualified for the final, with both earning promotion to the 2023–24 National First Division. Upington City defeated Orbit College 3-1 in the final, with Upington City taking R1.2 million in prize money, and Orbit R600,000.

Regions

Eastern Cape

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Free State

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Gauteng

Kwazulu-Natal

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Limpopo

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Mpumalanga

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North West

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Northern Cape

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Western Cape

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Playoff stage

Western Cape winners Young Bafana were pulled from the playoffs a week before they started after losing an arbitration case lodged by rivals Zizwe United regarding playing with unregistered players. However, hours before kickoff, the ruling was set aside by the Gauteng High Court and Young Bafana entered the playoffs.

Semi-finals

The semifinal between hosts Umsinga United and Orbit College at Harry Gwala Stadium was marred by violence. Orbit College won 1–0, and at the end of the match, fans invaded the pitch, gunshots were fired, while Umsinga United's goalkeeper coach Gezani Zondi was struck on the head and needed medical attention. Upington City beat Mpheni Home Defenders of Limpopo 3–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the first semi-final of the day, while Orbit College broke many hearts in a crowded Harry Gwala Stadium when they beat local side Umsinga United 1–0 in the second semi-final.

Playoff final

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:2022-23 SAFA Second Division SAFA Second Division seasons 2022–23 in South African soccer leagues