Busy spree ahead in NFD

There are eight matches set for Wednesday afternoon, a further five on Saturday and three on Sunday as all 16 clubs play two rounds this week.

In the first midweek fixture Moroka Swallows play Santos at the Dobsonville Stadium. These two clubs who both had considerable success in the top flight face each other for the first time in the second tier.

And both find themselves near the wrong end of the table after eight rounds, with Santos 13th and Swallows 14th. Santos were able to pick up their first win of the season last weekend, a 2-1 win over African Warriors, while the Birds have lost four and drawn one of their last five matches.

In another match, Black Leopards come up against Highlands Park at the Thohoyandou Stadiu. Leopards are winless in their last three matches and have only taken a point in that period. Highland Park meanwhile are enjoying a strong campaign to date and go in to this game with three wins from their last five, including last weekend’s victory over FC Cape Town.

Another clash sees Witbank Spurs in an encounter with Baroka FC at the Puma Rugby Stadium.
Both teams will be determined to get back to winning ways after dropping points on the weekend which allowed All Stars to reclaim top spot.

In a Cape Town derby, FC Cape Town meet Cape Town All Stars at the NNK Rugby Stadium. All Stars, who are searching for their first derby win in three attempts, reclaimed pole position last Friday after a 1-0 win over Mthatha Bucks made it seven points from three games.

FC Cape Town have been inconsistent this season, and have lost two and won two of their last four matches, although they do traditionally fare well in local derbies.

At the Charles Mopeli Stadium, African Warriors are up against Mbombela United. Warriors are in the doldrums at the moment with five defeats in their last six matches including last weekend’s reverse at Santos. Mbombela meanwhile are making light if their status as NFD rookies and go into this game having taken 13 of a possible 15 points.

Then at the Athlone Stadium, it’s the turn of Milano United to play AmaZulu. Milano are yet to get firing this season and the Kinnes head into this match with one point from their last three outings. Usuthu have made steady progress with seven points from their last four matches.

At the King Zwelithini Stadium Royal Eagles take on Vasco Da Gama. Eagles took a point off high flying Baroka FC last Sunday to make it eight points from their last five matches as the KZN side keeps themselves in the hunt for a play-off berth.

Vasco have won only two of their eight matches this season, but have drawn four, including last weekend’s stalemate with Swallows.

In the final game, Mthatha Bucks play Thanda Royal Zulu at the Mthatha Stadium. Bucks continue to search for their elusive first win of the season, finding themselves four points adrift of safety after just one point from their last four matches.

Thanda are in good form with seven points from their last three matches, including wins over Witbank Spurs and Milano.

ANA