NFD teams open floodgates
GOAL-TRAIL: BARTLETT BOYS ON SONG
Moseki plunders hat-trick to keep pressure on leaders.
As heavy downpours were predicted across the country for last weekend, it was in the National First Division where a flood of goals was seen with 19 goals scored in eight matches, six more than in the Absa Premiership.
It was a team fittingly coached by a former striker who scored the most goals as Shaun Bartlett’s University of Pretoria pummelled Mbombela United 4-1 to keep the pressure on leaders Stellenbosch FC.
Gabriel Moseki opened the floodgates early in the first half and went on to complete a hattrick while Brendon Konki made it 4-0 before half-time.
It was always going to be difficult for Tingwenyama to come back from this heavy deficit but they tried their best and were duly rewarded with a consolation goal when Siphelele Zwane converted a penalty in the dying minutes of the match.
AmaTuks are now one point behind Stellenbosch who remain top with 14 points after beating Mthatha Bucks 1-0, also on Saturday afternoon. Abednigo Mosiathlaga’s first-half strike was enough to seal the points for Steve Barker’s side.
David Kannemeyer’s coaching career was cut short when he was reportedly asked to step aside following Cape Town All Stars’ goalless draw against Black Leopards on Friday afternoon. Phakaaathi understands that Igugu leKapa have hired former Chippa United coach Vladislav Heric to take over.
Kannemeyer had a dream start to his NFD coaching career as his team were on top of the standings after three games but things started falling apart and the team are now eighth after failing to win in their past three matches.
Royal Eagles’ interim coach Zipho Dlangalala was pleased with his team’s 3-2 win over provincial neighbours Richards Bay FC but admitted there was still a lot of work to be done at the club.
“Just because there has been a little rain you don’t go out and celebrate and proclaim that summer has come,” Dlangalala told reporters after the match.
“We still have a lot of work to do before we can reach the level I believe we have to be at,” he added.