Double-header third in a row for Madibaz

Hearts set to play three matches in five days

NMMU Madibaz will be defending a nine-point lead as the they go into their third consecutive double-header in the Safa-NMB SAB League this weekend.

The students play Central Acemates tomorrow and Camper United on Sunday.

In the first round, they beat Acemates 3-0 and Camper 1-0.

NMMU sports manager Mark Tommy attributes the team’s success to the near-professional structure taking care of the physical and psychological demands of a student soccer player.

“Being a student and a sportsman comes with its own challenges,” Tommy said.

“The boys have to strike a balance between sport and academics , without one suffering at the expense of the other.

“Coach Wayne Iveson is ably assisted by biokineticist Jade Horwitz, who is key to reducing and managing injury risks with such a demanding playing schedule.

“After playing on Saturday and Sunday, the students can’t be booked off [through injury] and miss lectures on Monday.”

Tommy values the team’s combination of youth and experience that Iveson has moulded into a well-drilled unit.

“Youngsters like Sachin Rautenbach and goalkeeper Matthew Booysen are making their presence felt in the league and we are hoping to bring in a few more [youngsters] next month.”

Meanwhile, Golden Aces, who head the chasing pack, play Mabayibone Strikers in Walmer tomorrow.

They are level on points but Aces have a match in hand.

On Sunday, Aces take on PE Sundowns while Strikers play Showvillage United Brothers.

Hearts, just outside the top eight, are scheduled to play three matches in the next five days.

They play Camper United tomorrow, Fairview Rovers on Sunday and Highland Spurs on Wednesday.

Hearts assistant coach Manci Margon said: “We may be ninth, but maximum points from the three matches will put us right up there.”

Rovers, who seem to be slipping out of the league race after a promising start, play Island City in their second match of the weekend.

Fixtures: Tomorrow: Mabayibone Strikers v Golden Aces (Walmer Fields), Despatch Pioneers v Showvillage v United Brothers (Khayamnandi), Highland Spurs v Ikamva Movers (Jabavu Stadium), Fairview Rovers v Island City (Marock Road), Camper United v Hearts (NU9 Stadium), Central Acemates v NMMU Madibaz (TBC), Motherwell Academy v Young Cosmos (NU 2 Stadium), Royal Bucks v PE Sundowns (NU9 Stadium). Sunday: Showvillage United Brothers v Mabayibone Strikers (NU2 Stadium), Ikamva Movers v Despatch Pioneers (NU2 Stadium), Island City v Highland Spurs (Jubilee Grounds), Hearts v Fairview Rovers (Saints), NMMU Madibaz v Camper United (NMMU 2nd Avenue), Young Cosmos v Central Acemates (Walmer Fields), Royal Bucks v Motherwell Academy (NU9 Stadium), PE Sundowns v Golden Aces (NB Oval). Wednesday: Hearts v Highland Spurs (Saints Field).

The boys have to strike a balance between sport and academics without one suffering at the expense of the other