19/04/2024
Fireworks expected as the battle for league title and promotional play-off in the NFD hots-up
By NAKAMPE LEKWADU
THE battle for league title and promotional play-off in the Motsepe Foundation Championship continues at various venues across the country tomorrow (April 20).
All eyes however will be in Tshwane where second place, Pretoria University welcome log leaders Magesi FC in the match which is expected to produce fireworks. Kick-Off at the Tuks Stadium is 3pm.
Ama-Tuks as the Tshwane side are known goes to this match like a wounded lion after a mid-week 2-0 loss away to Maritzburg United and they occupy the 2nd spot on the log with 44 points from 24 matches while their visitors from Limpopo are on top of the log with 46 points (same number of matches). Magesi dropped two valuable points at home in Polokwane after a mid-week 2-all draw against Hungry Lions.
If the previous meetings between the two sides is anything to go by, then Pretoria University have the upper hand as they have won three of their five (this include an away 2-1 victory in Polokwane in the first round match of this season) with Magesi having won a single match while the other one ended in a draw.
Magesi coach, Clinton Larsen however was optimistic that his charges will be the one celebrating a four point gap come 5pm after this encounter. “If we can produce the same form that saw us played to a 2-2 draw against Hungry Lions, then nothing will stop us from winning our match against Pretoria University and open a four point gap,” said Larsen after their match against Lions.
It is a naked truth that Magesi’s defense will have a very busy day in trying to bottle up AmaTuks’s aggressive goal-poachers such as Thabang Sibanyoni, Samuel Julies and Delano Abrahams. The trio have collectively contributed 18 of the club’s 25 goals with Sibanyoni having rattled the net eight times while Julies and Abrahams have score five apiece.
In the other league encounters six clubs will also be in a tug of war for the valuable points as the battle for top three finish is getting hot. The contest is so close that even a club on the 8th position could find itself on the third position after tomorrow’s games.
JDR FC (3rd position with 37 points) will be looking forward to maintain their 3rd spot at the expense of the struggling Venda Academy whom they host at Giant Stadium in Soshanguve while Baroka (5th on the log with 36 points) will be play-host Casrics FC (8th with 35 points) at the Global Stadium in Lebowakgomo. Elsewhere Maritzburg United (6th on the log with 35 points) welcome the struggling bottom rock side, Marumo Gallants at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium with Black Leopards taking on Upington City, and Platinum City Rovers rub shoulders against Milford FC in Vanderbijyl Park’s Isak Steil Stadium
The last two fixtures will be played on Sunday, April 21 where another promotional candidate, Orbit College (4th with 37 points) will be hosting MM Platinum Stars with 7th positioned Hungry Lions taking on Pretoria Callies away in the Jacaranda City. All matches start at 3pm. www.lepellereview.co.za
