Hearts and Stars both need win

THE two teams which started the year at the top of the Safa-NMB SAB League and are now likely to finish the season as also-rans, clash at the Lawson Brown High School field tomorrow evening.

Several poor results have seen Hearts drop down from the top of the log to eighth and Morning Stars to sixth. This is a must-win match for both teams.

Last week, Stars lost 2-1 to tailenders Mabayibone Strikers and were thrashed 5-0 by Ikamva Movers.

Hearts fared slightly better. They lost 1-0 to Despatch Pioneers on Friday evening and then drew 2-2 with Young Ideas on Sunday. In the first round, Hearts beat Stars 2-1. Hearts will be back in action on Sunday when they take on Young Killers at a venue to be announced, while Stars play Despatch Pioneers at the Zwide Stadium.

After last weekend’s results, which saw six of the bottom teams pick up a point at least, none of the leading teams can take any them for granted.

Log-leaders NMU Madibaz will be protecting a three-point lead when they play Motherwell Academy at the NU2 Stadium on Saturday and FC Winners at the Mawabo Dyubhe Stadium on Sunday.

Both their opponents were in excellent form last week.

Despite being in the relegation zone, FC Winners lived up to their name with maximum points from their double header. They beat Young Killers 1-0 and Amarhamba United 2-1.

Last week, Motherwell thrashed United 5-0 but lost 2-0 to Major Chiefs, who are second on the log.

Chiefs, who trail Madibaz by three points, play Winners at the Mawabo Dyubhe Stadium on Saturday and Despatch Pioneers at the Zwide Stadium on Sunday. In the first round Chiefs beat Winners 3-1. Fairview Rovers, who are still in the race for league honours, play Golden Aces at the Zwide Stadium on Saturday and host Camper United at the Saints field in Gelvandale on Sunday. Fixtures:

Friday: Amarhamba v Ikamva Movers (Jabavu Rugby Stadium), Hearts v Morning Stars (Lawson Brown High School).

Tomorrow: Roaring Tigers v PE Sundowns (Chevrolet Stadium), Despatch Pioneers v Young Ideas (Khayamnandi), Golden Aces v Fairview Rovers (Zwide Stadium), Camper United v Highland Spurs (NU9 Stadium), Motherwell Academy v NMU Madibaz (NU2 Stadium), FC Winners v Major Chiefs (Mawabo Dyubhe Stadium), Mabayibone Strikers v Amarhamba United (Walmer Community field), Ikamva Movers v Young Killers (Chevrolet Stadium).

Sunday: FC Winners v NMU Madibaz (Mawabo Dyubhe Stadium), Young Killers v Hearts (TBC), Major Chiefs v Mabayibone Strikers (Zwide Stadium), Young Ideas v Roaring Tigers (NU9 Stadium), Highland Spurs v Motherwell Academy (TBC), Fairview Rovers v Camper United (Saints field, Gelvandale), PE Sundowns v Golden Aces (Chevrolet Stadium), Morning Stars v Despatch Pioneers (Zwide Stadium).