Hungry Lions target 60-point promotion push in Motsepe Foundation Championship

Hungry Lions owner-coach Henry Basie believes promotion to the Premiership will require at least 60 points this season as his team attempts to secure top-flight football for the first time.

The Lions have strengthened their challenge with four victories and a draw from their past five Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) matches. They are five points behind leaders Magesi after eight games.

Basie’s side are in their sixth season in the second tier since winning promotion in 2020/21, but the club has yet to make the step up to the Premiership.

The expected points total would be among the highest in the competition’s history. Kruger United won the MFC last season with 62 points, the division’s record tally. It was also the first time the 60-point mark had been reached and surpassed since Baroka collected 60 points to win promotion in the 2015/16 season.

“This season the point tally for eventual champions is going to be huge. I really believe it will go up to 60 to 65. If you can check, Magesi are already on 20 points after eight games,” Basie told Sowetan yesterday.

He is confident Hungry Lions can maintain their position close to the leaders and finish the campaign strongly.

“We are breathing on their [Magesi’s] neck. We should finally come out and go to the Premiership this season and I believe we will. We have to remain consistent because we have enough depth of young and experienced players, so we have what it takes to finish the job,” he said.

Hungry Lions will play provincial rivals Upington at Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium on Saturday.

Hungry Lions’ MFC record since promotion

– 2021/22: finished 11th with 36 points – 2022/23: finished fifth with 47 points – 2023/24: finished eighth with 42 points – 2024/25: finished 13th with 33 points – 2025/26: finished fifth with 52 points

Results

– Orbit 1-2 CPT City – Hope 1-0 Bees – Midlands 0-1 Upington – Native 1-1 Highbury – NWU 2-1 AmaTuks – Magesi 2-1 Gomora – Leicesterford 0-3 Lerumo – Lions 1-0 Venda