Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

The management of National First Division's Coastal Stream leaders Bay United have put aside incentives totalling R1 million to motivate the players in their bid to gain promotion to the Absa Premiership.

This was announced at a media briefing in Port Elizabeth yesterday and the function was attended by players, the technical staff and club officials.

The money will be shared by the players and the technical staff if they succeeded in winning promotion to the top flight.

All the teams in the Coastal Stream are left with five matches.

"We have stepped up our challenge for the Premier Soccer League's status and we are hopeful the incentives will go a long way to motivating the players to gain promotion to the elite league at the end of the season," Senzo Mazingiza, United general manager, told Sowetan after the briefing yesterday.

Mazingiza said the incentives were part of "Chairman's Reward" to instil a sense of motivation and courage among the players.

United are under the chairmanship of Sipho Pityana, a top Port Elizabeth businessman, who is doing everything possible to ensure that the team gain promotion to the rich Premiership in June.

"This is the only way to support the chairman and the entire management can do for players to encourage them to overcome the hurdles in this league this season. We are all positive that promotion to the Premiership is within our reach", added Mazingiza.

United currently top the Coastal Stream log with 33 points from 16 matches but they are under pressure from second-placed and namesake Maritzburg United.

Bay United host Durban Stars at Wolfson Stadium and Maritzburg United visit the reignited Hanover Park in Cape Town on Saturday at 3pm.