Swallows bound Dawie Van Rhyn celebrates promotion with Upington City

Van Rhyn was speaking to SABC Sport after Northern Cape’s Upington City were crowned as ABC Motsepe national champions for the 2022/2023 season, coming from behind to beat Orbit College 3-1 in the final played at the Harry Gwala stadium in Pietermaritzburg yesterday. The youngster’s focus was on helping his team gain promotion but can’t wait for the step up to the PSL.

"My mind was not on that, so I only focused first on the tournament so whatever happens next is gonna be a pleasure for me, if I go to the PSL. So, I'm grateful for that," he said. 

Upington City, a team owned by Karabo Mogashoa, a daughter of Swallows FC Chairman David Mogashoa, has only been in existence for less than four years. Van Rhyn says it has also helped to have a legend like former Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United left-back Ruben Cloete as their Technical Director at the club as he gives valuable guidance.

"We learned a lot from him because as you know, he's a legend from Pirates. So it was great to have him in our team and we are grateful for that."

City is the second team from the Diamond province to play in the Motsepe Foundation Championship (National First Division), joining Hungry Lions, who have also won R1,25 million first prize amount previously. Van Rhyn says winning this tournament and gaining promotion to the second tier of South African football means more exposure for their province.

"It was great to be here and we did very well for our first time. So, I'm really thankful for that. The hard work we put in, the coaches shouted at us every day, they wanted us to win. We are from the Northern Cape so many teams from this side think we won't make it but we pulled through. I'm glad that we won the tournament, it's a great exposure for our province."