Race for promotion set to be tougher
Cosmos, Eagles and Ajax favourites for automatic promotion to PSL
Last season’s race for automatic promotion in the National First Division (NFD) was merely a one-horse race as Highlands Park strolled to the top-flight unchallenged.
They accumulated a record 69 points, 19 ahead of runnersup Black Leopards, who eventually joined them in the Absa Premiership after winning the playoffs. But by the look of things, it’ll be a different story this season.
The new NFD campaign, which kicks off tomorrow, promises to be a cracker. Teams like Ajax Cape Town, Royal Eagles and Jomo Cosmos are expected to go toe-totoe in the race for automatic promotion.
After their first demotion from the Premiership, Ajax will campaign in the second tier of SA football, beginning their bid to bounce back as quick as possible, with a tricky away fixture to Cosmos in Vosloorus on Sunday.
Keeping the bulk of their players and head coach Muhsin Ertugral makes the Urban Warriors favourites to clinch automatic promotion. They have also signed Raymond Monama, who has vast NFD experience.
Eagles could have been easily relegated last season, but the appointment of Roger Sikhakhane later in the campaign ensured that the KwaZulu-Natal club finished ninth on the standings. He took over when the team was bottom of the table with less than 10 matches to spare.
Having previously led teams like Chippa United and the now defunct Thanda Royal Zulu to the promised land, Sikhakhane has the opportunity to guide Eagles to promotion this season, especially because he had a chance to prepare the team in the pre-season.
Cosmos may be embroiled in salary disputes with some of their players but Ezenkosi are still a force to be reckoned with in the NFD. Their owner-coach Jomo Sono’s knowledge of this league sets Cosmos apart from many other teams.