Clinton Larsen backs Venda's Betway Premiership promotion push this season

The club's first target was to secure their Motsepe Foundation Championship status, and with 24 points from 17 games in sixth place on the league standings, Larsen feels he has already achieved that goal.

But as they get their second half of the campaign underway, the former Polokwane City and Magesi head coach has raised his team's ambitions.

Larsen, who previously led Magesi to the Betway Premiership in 2024, only took charge of Venda at the beginning of the season, after a relegation threathened campaign last term where they ended in 14th place, just one point from safety.  

They are now only seven points behind current National First Division leaders Milford with 13 games to play.

Larsen said on FARPost: "Listen, we said the second round is going to be very tight, and I think that the fact that none of the top teams have run away with it by 10 or 12 points clear, it's just giving everybody some hope and belief, and that includes us.

"Why not? As much as I said the season was about stability, making sure that there are no relegation fights after three seasons of doing so. But the way it looks now, we have put ourselves in contention to fight for a top-three place, and that's what we will try to do."

“I am very proud of the team. I think we are safe from relegation now. We don't have to worry about relegation this season. We can now try to look for another positive target.”