Very few people would have bet on Super Eagles of Free State to be serious contenders for one of the two available National First Division berths ahead of the ABC Motsepe playoffs.

But that is exactly what they have done as they are still in with a chance of being the only Free State outfit in the NFD.

Many expected Group A‚ dubbed the group of death‚ to be between Acornbush United and Buya Msuthu.

But Eagles showed they were not in the tournament just to make up the numbers.

"It's my dream [to gain promotion]‚" said Eagles coach Tshegofatso Mashego.

"I cannot come here to learn. I'm not one of those coaches that always say 'I'll go back to the drawing board'. It's the same excuse that coaches make.

"I came here to win. I want to win‚ I want to be successful‚ I'm very ambitious."

He said he was happy that there are some people who dismissed his side and thought the group would be between the more fancied Acornbush and Buya Msuthu.

"It's always nice when you're an underdog because no one knows anything about you.

"You're just‚ I don't know‚ a mystery to them then you come and surprise them and they start raising their eyes‚" he said.

Reflecting on the 2-1 victory over Maccabi FC on Wednesday‚ Mashego said they could have won by a bigger margin if the players implemented the game plan.

"It frustrates you. They can give you a heart attack‚" Mashego said.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport