Tight at the top in NFD
The hotly-contested National First Division (NFD) resumes this weekend after a two-week break and with three teams equal on points at the top of the table, this weekend is sure to create some drama.
The two-week break was given to accommodate South Africa’s Under 23 side playing in the Olympic qualifiers in Morocco, but that is now over and the race for the summit of the NFD is on again.
Thanda Royal Zulu, Blackburn Rovers and University of Pretoria are all tied at the top on 27 points from thirteen matches. But Thanda have arguably the toughest match when they host sixth-placed FC Cape Town at home on Sunday.
Rovers travel to bottom-of-the-log Witbank Spurs on Sunday and should pick up a win while AmaTuks travel to fifteenth-placed Atlie FC on the same day and will also expect three points.
On Friday night the vastly improved Chippa United, now in seventh place, host Carara Kicks at the Phillipi Stadium. It is the only fixture on Friday as Cape Town aims to revive Friday night football.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm.
On Saturday Bay United host FC AK in a mid-table clash in which both teams are separated by just one point.
For FC AK, there is a strong possibility that former Orlando Pirates defender Mzondi Mthombeni could play. He had been training with the club and now has his clearance to join.
Dynamos take on Sivutsa Stars at the Giyani Stadium on Saturday and will be up against a team led by a very experienced coach. Sivutsa officially announced Shepherd Murape as the man to replace Innocent Mayoyo as coach.
On Sunday Black Aces travel to Kimberley to take on the improving United FC and will want to impress new coach Rodolfo Zapata of Argentina, who replaced Craig Rosslee in overseeing the first team.
The appointment is subject to Zapata getting a work permit, but his new role means that Rosslee will begin growing the football side of the business.
With just two games to go until the Christmas break, the heat is certainly switched on in the NFD.
There is a lot to play for depending on whether you are right at the top, mid table or fighting in the relegation zone.
Fixtures:
Friday
Chippa United vs Carara Kicks (Phillipi Stadium)
Saturday
Dynamos vs Sivutsa Stars (Giyani Stadium)
Bay United vs FC AK (Seshego Stadium)
African Warriors vs Vasco da Gama (Charles Mopeli Stadium)
Sunday:
Mpumalanga Black Aces vs United FC (GWK Park)
Witbank Spurs vs Blackburn Rovers (Puma Stadium)
Atlie FC vs University of Pretoria (Sinaba Stadium)
Thanda Royal Zulu vs FC Cape Town (uMhlhathuze Sports Stadium)