No let-up for NMMU after winning title

NMMU Madibaz have already secured the Safa-NMB SAB League title, but will not be taking their foot off the pedal in the remaining four matches.

“Winning the league with four matches to spare does not change anything in how we prepare for and play the rest of the matches,” Madibaz sport manager Mark Tommy said.

“Our playing philosophy is rooted in an emphasis that the process is more important that the result.

“We won the league by playing a specific brand of football that involves passing and attacking.

“Winning promotion has always been our object and with the pressure [of winning the league] out of the way our players and coaching staff can focus on the playoffs.

“The remaining matches also afford coach Wayne Iveson the opportunity to give more game time to the younger players in the squad.”

The students host relegation candidates Island City at their Second Avenue campus tomorrow.

With Young Cosmos certain to be relegated, City are one of four teams also facing relegation.

Meanwhile, five teams will continue to battle it out for the runners-up berth.

Front-runners Golden Aces play Motherwell Academy at the NU2 Stadium in Motherwell.

With a match in hand, Fairview Rovers are four points behind Aces. They play Highland Spurs at the Marock Road field.

Hearts face a tough match against PE Sundowns, who are one of the teams handily placed for second place.

Fixtures:

Central Acemates v Mabayibone Strikers (Zwide), Camper United v Despatch Pioneers (NU9 Stadium), Fairview Rovers v Despatch Pioneers (Marock Road), Motherwell Academy v Golden Aces (NU2 Stadium), Royal Bucks v Showvillage United Brothers (NU9), Young Cosmos v Ikamva Movers (Walmer Community field), NMMU Madibaz v Island City (Second Avenue), PE Sundowns v Hearts. AFTER winning both their matches last week, Ama-units will fancy their chances of recording their third straight win when they play Eleven Attackers in NU13 on Sunday.

While the challengers picked up six points, allowing them to close the gap at the top of the log, Attackers crashed to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of PE All Stars.

New Brighton, who thrashed Gqebera 4-2 last weekend, should score another big win when they play Winners at the Molefe field.

Volkswagen can make up lost ground when they play struggling Joe Slovo. Last week, Sparks upset the form book when they beat Volkswagen 3-2.

Fixtures:

Sparks v PE All Stars, Eleven Attackers v Ama-units, Villagers v Eberspacher (all NU13), New Brighton v Winners, PE Eleven v Young Pirates (Molefe), Veeplaas v Zwide, Joe Slovo v Volkswagen, Soweto v Gqebera (all Dwesi).