Arrows, Maritzburg target joy
Fifa break a welcome relief … it’s business as usual for PSL, NFD sides
WHEN club football resumes today after a Fifa international break, the changes in log positions in the Absa Premiership and National First Division will be almost as swift as the ministerial reshuffle in the national government.
So tight is the competition in both the top two professional leagues in the country that only two clubs from both divisions are safe from movements up or down the standings.
In the top-flight, Baroka FC can’t get out of the basement, and in the promotion league, Thanda Royal Zulu are untouchable at the summit.
Elsewhere in the leagues there are potential changes, which points to the competitiveness and unpredictability of the domestic leagues.
By the time current log leaders Cape Town City host Chippa United in a rare Monday night fixture, any one of four teams can be at the summit of the 16-team league.
It’s equally congested in the middle where Golden Arrows can consolidate a top eight position with a home win over Highlands Park this afternoon, and Maritzburg United can climb back into the top section with victory over Ajax Cape Town in a late night duel in the Midlands.
Arrows have bobbed up and down near the middle for much of the campaign. Their inconsistency of late is as a result of a glut of injuries to Kagisho Dikgacoi, Vuyani Ntanga, Limbikani Mzava, Chiukepo Msowoya and Danny Phiri.
With some of these regulars returning for the clash in KwaMashu, it could spark a strong finish to the campaign for Abafana Bes’thende over the remaining nine games.
They meet a fired up Highlands outfit, who would have used the break well to fine-tune preparations as they bid to pull further away from the relegation zone.
Arrows won the first round 1-0, and with injury returnees complementing new arrivals like Nkosinathi Mthiyane, Knox Mutizwa and Chiukepo Msowoya, Arrows expect home advantage to carry them through for a season’s double.
A win will take Arrows to sixth position, three points ahead of Polokwane City who host Bloemfontein Celtic in tomorrow’s only game.
By the time Maritzburg play in one of the two late games, they could drop to 11th if Orlando Pirates overcome Free State Stars in a 6pm kick-off. And if they slip against Ajax they could drop a further spot.
This will be Maritzburg’s first home outing after they lost three assignments on the road in league and cup duty. In their last home match the Team of Choice beat Free State Stars, something that caretaker coach Fadlu Davids urged his squad to focus on.
“The last game we played at home was against Free State Stars and we won. We have to take that mentality into the Ajax game. We have to win it for our fans,” said Davids.
In the First Division, log leaders Thanda will enjoy the day off, while hoping that the chasing pack continue to stumble over each other.
The Richards Bay side host second-bottom Santos in tomorrow’s only match.
The main competition is for second and third place, which are the play-off spots.
Fourth-placed Royal Eagles are favourites to be in the mix, but their poor away form gives ammunition to bottom club Magesi. However, Eagles bolstered the side with the acquisition of veteran Zambian midfielder Isaac Chansa.