Hope FC Crowned ABC Motsepe League National Champions After Penalty Shootout Triumph

Hope FC completed a remarkable campaign on Sunday by lifting the 2025/26 SAFA ABC Motsepe League National Championship title after defeating North West University of Soccer Institute (NWU) 5-3 on penalties at Mthatha Stadium in the Eastern Cape.

The national final ended 1-1 after regulation time, forcing the contest into a dramatic penalty shootout where the Western Cape side held their nerve to secure victory and claim the country’s top amateur football crown.

The triumph caps off an unforgettable weekend for Hope FC, who had already secured promotion to the National First Division, South Africa’s second-tier professional league, before Sunday’s final. NWU also earned promotion, ensuring both finalists will compete in professional football next season.

In addition to the championship trophy, Hope FC will receive prize money of R1.25 million. Runners-up NWU walk away with R600,000 after an impressive tournament campaign.

Road to the Final

The two finalists booked their places in Sunday’s showpiece by winning their respective semifinal encounters on Saturday.

North West champions NWU overcame KwaZulu-Natal representatives Mkhambathi FC with a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the opening semifinal.

Later in the day, Western Cape champions Hope FC, produced a dominant display against Northern Cape side NC Professionals. The Cape outfit cruised to a convincing 4-1 victory to secure their place in the final.

With promotion already guaranteed for both finalists, the focus shifted to determining the national champion when the teams met at Mthatha Stadium on Sunday.

Hope FC Crowned ABC Motsepe League National Champions After Penalty Shootout Triumph (Image: SAFA)

Penalty Shootout Decides Champion

The final proved to be a closely contested affair, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage during regulation time. After the match finished 1-1, penalties were required to separate the teams.

Hope FC showed composure from the spot, converting their chances to secure a 5-3 shootout victory and spark celebrations among players, coaches and supporters.

The result crowned the Western Cape outfit as the 2025/26 SAFA ABC Motsepe League National Champions and marked a fitting end to a successful campaign that delivered both silverware and promotion.

A New Chapter Awaits

For both Hope FC and NWU, attention will now turn to life in the National First Division. Having emerged as the top two teams from the national playoffs, both clubs have earned the opportunity to test themselves in South African professional football next season.

While NWU can take pride in a strong tournament run, it was Hope FC who ultimately wrote their names into the history books, leaving Mthatha Stadium as national champions and one of the biggest success stories of the 2025/26 season.