MDANTSANE – Buffalo City Relatives chairman Siphatho Handi has welcomed a transformative partnership with Digital Sport, a global platform aimed at professionalizing grassroots football through digital infrastructure.
Digital Sport, which boasts legendary striker Emmanuel Adebayor as its global ambassador, provides clubs with dedicated websites and digital profiles to attract prospective corporate sponsors.
The Heavy Cost of the ABC Motsepe League
Speaking from the club’s training grounds in Mdantsane on Wednesday, Handi was candid about the financial “wreckage” facing teams in South Africa’s third tier.
“I’m thrilled that Digital Sport has decided to focus on this division,” Handi said.
“The ABC Motsepe League is arguably the most expensive in South African football because you run it entirely out of your own pocket. There are no sponsors—perhaps due to the country’s economic climate—there is absolutely nothing.”
Handi highlighted the logistical nightmare facing rural clubs: “You travel over 600km to honor an away fixture, and every cent comes from your own pocket. Being on a digital platform provides the mileage and airtime necessary to finally attract the eyes of sponsors.”
Talent Exposure and the “Orlando Pirates Cup”
For Handi, the partnership is about more than just a website; it’s about ensuring the talent in the Eastern Cape isn’t ignored. He revealed that three of his standout youth players have been scouted for a major national stage.
“Visibility is all we need here,” Handi continued. “Three of my underage players have been selected to participate in the Orlando Pirates Cup in Johannesburg, running from April 1st to 3rd, 2026. These platforms expose the genuine skill we possess in rural areas.”
A Plea to SAFA
Despite the optimism regarding Digital Sport, Handi issued a stern challenge to the South African Football Association (SAFA) regarding the lack of support for lower-league structures.
“We hope SAFA will one day do more than just claim us,” Handi stated. “Currently, we are on our own. No one cares. There is no grant money, no prize money, and no transport subsidies. We have been going for seasons without anything forthcoming.”
