The first matches of the 2009/2010 Makana Local Football Association (LFA) league were played over the past weekend.
The first matches of the 2009/2010 Makana Local Football Association (LFA) league were played over the past weekend.
The Metropolitan League, which includes 15 Grahamstown clubs, is the only league that falls under the LFA, as the Development League has been disbanded. According to LFA secretary Thandazile Madinda, many of the Development League teams did not pay their 2008/2009 membership fees which means it was not viable for the second league.
He said that all the Development League clubs that had paid their membership fees were shifted into the Metropolitan League for this season. The league matches will be played over two rounds, with all teams getting a chance to play one another in a round robin format. Each team needs to play 28 matches before the national LFA deadline which is set for the end of February.
League matches will be played on Saturdays and Sundays, with each team playing two matches a weekend. Madinda said weekly matches will be played at a later stage, "in order to catch up if needs be".
Speaking to Madinda at JD Dlepu Stadium on Saturday afternoon, during one of the matches, he said: “This is a success,” as there were many supporters who had come to watch the various matches. “This shows that the people are hungry to watch football,” he added.
The opening match of the league, which took place on Saturday morning, was between New Town City and Young Stars, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
Madinda said it would be worth keeping an eye on defending league winners, City Pirates, as well as Golden Stars. LFA president, Chris Totobela said is is too early to pick a team favourite just yet.
Madinda said the level of play at the match was "pretty good", although he could see many players had had long holiday breaks without much exercise and practice.
City Pirates, who won the 1008/2009 league, won their first match against United Royals by 3-0. United Royals are one of the teams who were automatically promoted to the Metropolitan League after the Development League folded last year.
