Mbombela United players and officials yesterday celebrated deliriously after they were crowned champions of the ABC Motsepe League.

Mbombela needed a last-minute goal from Inky Masuku to triumph 2-1 over Mthatha Bucks in yesterday's final play-off in Kimberley.

Both sides entered the fixture in high spirits as they had secured a place in the National First Division (NFD) by reaching the final following a week of play-offs.

And both were left grinning in the end, after they were rewarded handsomely, United pocketing R1-million as champions, and Bucks banking R500000 as runners-up. Their reward was many fold better than the life they will get in the NFD, where the winners receive a mere R300 000.

SA Football Association president Danny Jordaan, who presented the winners' cheque, said the money - a direct sponsorship from the Motsepe Foundation - would help the sides settle in the first division.

"If you give these sides some resources, they will be able to hold their own," Jordaan told SABC television. "The R1-million that Mbombela won, and the R500000 that went to Mthatha will help them prepare for life in the NFD.

"We wish both sides all the best and believe they will represent us well. They won't be relegated."

The coaches of both sides conceded they'll have to beef up their sides to compete in the NFD.

"We need to get some experience in our side. We won't dismantle the whole side, but we can do with a few new signings," said Mbombela's Mfanimpela Maseko.

Mthatha coach Julius Dube said: "We have great quality in this side but obviously we'll need more to strengthen all departments. We have gained great experience in these play-offs, but now we don't have an off-season break. I wish we had more time to prepare for the new league."