There is a new breeding ground for future stars of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Bafana Bafana — the Mvela Golden League, which starts this weekend.
Dangerous Darkies versus Pietersburg Pillars will kick off the season at Kanyamazane stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday.
The restructured league comprises 18 clubs after the coastal and inland streams were merged to form a single first division. All provinces except the Eastern Cape are represented.
PSL CEO Trevor Phillips has finally seen his brainchild being born and Andrew Dipela will be in charge of its upbringing.
Phillips said the Mvela Golden League would give clubs a better chance to prepare for the premiership and provide a chance for them to market themselves.
Tokyo Sexwale, the chairperson of Mvelaphanda — the main sponsor of the league — said his company wanted the first division to be well developed enough for it to become a privilege for premiership teams to be relegated to the Golden League.
The mining magnate said this was just a humble investment on his part, with the significance being that it would contribute to the development of South African soccer and unleash future players who will be part of the 2010 World Cup squad.
First-division manager Dipela said his league has not so much been restructured as recreated.
He hoped it will finally shed the image of gun-toting club bosses who protest all the time.
Dipela said the team that will be promoted to the premiership would be the epitome of the Golden League.
The clubs in the first division will be provided with grants of R30 000 a month.
Funds for travelling to games and accommodation will be provided by the PSL.
The winners of the Mvela Golden League will pocket R300 000 and gain promotion to the premiership.
There will also be incentives for players and coaches, with the player of the season, top goal scorer and coach of the season receiving awards.