‘Old man’ Nomvethe aims for more

Siyabonga Nomvethe (right) may be the oldest player in the National First Division and nearing his retirement, but he is not slowing down.

The 39-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows forward has netted 13 goals this season for AmaZulu, whom he says he wants to help gain promotion back to the Absa Premiership before he finally hangs up his boots.

“Scoring is very important for me as a forward player. I also need to make sure I contribute an assist here and there in order to help the team win,” said Nomvethe as Usuthu prepared for their Nedbank Cup match against Platinum Stars tomorrow night.

They will hope to follow Mbombela United and Jomo Cosmos’ lead and advance to the next round of the Nedbank Cup.

Mbombela and Cosmos had a little less to do however as they had been pitted against lower division teams and easily knocked them out.

In Dikwena, Usuthu face a team that wants some silverware this season and it should be a cracking match at Moruleng Stadium.

Cape Town All Stars, Witbank Spurs and Royal Eagles are also hoping for upsets tomorrow evening as they compete in the Ke Yona round of 32. Eagles host defending champions SuperSport United while Igugu leKapa will also be home against Bidvest Wits. Spurs wil be away to Chippa United.

Meanwhile, a relegation battle headlines this weekend’s National First Division league action as bottom side Santos host Magesi FC on Saturday.

Magesi are second from bottom, just a point ahead of the People’s Team and neither will jump out of the relegation spots even if they win.

Both have had some time to prepare for the match as they were inactive last weekend because they were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup.

Santos suffered a 4-1 defeat to Royal Eagles in their last match while Dikwena will hope to build on their 2-1 victory over Milano United.

Magesi have a chance of gaining on third-frombottom Milano who have a tough assignment against leaders Thanda Royal Zulu.