Parkside to show bite
In what is being billed as Super Sunday, Parkside United will give 2018 Easter Tournament Platinum champions Seagulls a stern test at the North End Stadium when these two old rivals clash to round off the third week of the 2019 7th Edition East London Central Local Football Association Premier League season.
Despite fielding an expensive array of star players, C C Lloydbased Seagulls have flattered to deceive, suffering a shock Premier Top 8 first round exit and dropping points in their opening two premier league fixtures against the unfancied Brothers of Peace and Leeds United.
Under-fire club coach Sheldon Marrilier has yet to find the right combination, and he will again be tested when he crosses swords with the astute United mentor Ayanda Zamxaka, whose side picked up a handsome 4-1 victory against Napoli in their last played fixture.
Zamxaka will face his former club, whom he coached to the 2017 Easter Tournament Platinum cup final. He proved his managerial quality by steering Parkside United to the 2018 Easter Platinum final where they ironically lost to Seagulls.
Premier league defending champions Star of India will attempt to rebound after defeat to Prides when they host River- side at 2pm.
Both sides have been far from all-conquering this season, but with key players such as Keith Bantom (Riverside) and Loyiso Bolsiki (Stars) creeping back into form this looks like a tasty clash.
Rheiner Frazers’ blue train have held their own against the so called “big sides”, despite the departure of a number of key players during the off season. Frazer and his opposing number, Star of India club coach Masinga Simbambane, are reIndia building their sides and will be able to assess their progress when they clash.
Early season basement dwellers Napoli are touted as easy pickings when they lock horns with the undefeated log leaders Swaraj at 12.30pm.
All does not appear well at Napoli, particularly after the limp way they lost 4-1 against Parkside United in midweek.
The Parkridge-based Premier Top 8 champions are adopting a slick and progressive brand of football under coach Gerome Kroutz. It’s an approach underpinned by former Star of schemer Ivandre Campbell, who has been effective behind the deadly quartet of strikers – Allistar Visagie, Raiz Frazer, Sherwin Smith and Tevin Campbell.
Brothers of Peace entertain DiRoma in the early encounter at 11am.
On Saturday a revitalised Leeds United face a struggling Atlantic Spurs at 3pm. Spurs have roped in ex-Star of India veteran playmaker Angelo Hoffman as head coach, with former Spurs keeper Luigi Shaw as his assistant. Hoffman will be aiming to turn things around for his beleaguered side.
Imonti Christian Centre have so far proven that they have the quality to compete in their debut premier league season. Imonti fans did not have to wait long for a shot at one of the big boys. Their fixture with Hilton Poovan’s Prides just three weeks into the new season should be a thriller on Saturday at 4.30pm.
Prides coach Hilton Poovan guided his side to a commendable third place last season, largely thanks to his knack for making his team solid defensively. This time he can call upon classy attacking players in Juninho Klaasen, Thulani Nkosi, Zolani Ginya and Luke Groep to make a strong challenge for premier league honours.
C C Lloyd-based Seagulls have flattered to deceive