Mthombeni expects a competitive field in the Motsepe Foundation Championship this season

He says this season they have assembled a strong team, with a good mix of youngsters and also experience.

"More than competitive. Look at Orbit, Magesi, Cape Town City and even at Tuks. I think Tuks have signed quite a number of youngsters that are comfortable on the ball. The good thing about Real Natives have got a number of experienced players who will carry us," said Mthombeni

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Natives got their 2026/2027 Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign off to a winning start, beating Cape Town City 2-1 at the Solomon Mahlanga Stadium in KwaMhlanga on Friday.

Mthombeni was relieved after overcoming a strong City side, and managed to contain their aerial threat.

It was a weekend of mixed results for Magesi and Orbit in the MFC, as the Limpopo side returned with a 1-0 win from Midlands Wnaderers in KwaZulu-Natal and Orbit lost 1-0 to Leicesterford City.

Last season, Natives had a good run in the Nedbank Cup, bowing out in the semi-finals, but they missed out on promotion and the playoffs, and partly it was also down to missing crucial penalties. Mthombeni says after getting a late penalty, he left everything to senior players, who settled on Silawula to take it.

"I think it's something that we practice with the senior players. We say to them, 'Guys, one of you on the field needs to decide who's going to take it. ' I think I've seen Chauke give it to Silawula, and I was so happy because I said, 'Guys, I am giving it to you, senior players,' because last season, I think a number of players missed penalties, but it's something that's in the past."