Stellenbosch chase Richards Bay’s scalp

UNBEATEN Stellenbosch FC, who top the National First Division standings, welcome second-bottom Richards Bay FC to Athlone Stadium tomorrow, while Real Kings will be hosting Highlands Park (live on SuperSport).

Expect Stellenbosch, who have won four of six outings, to pick up another three-point haul against a side that has a solitary win from six starts.

Richards Bay FC have had a dreadful start to their campaign and agreed to release coach Roger Sikhakane last week.

The KwaZulu-Natal outfit have been anchored in the drop zone for one and a half months, so they will be desperate for a change in fortunes.

Stellenbosch, who haven’t conceded a goal in their last two matches, have 14 points from a possible 18 and hold a one-point lead over secondplaced Pretoria University, who could go top today if they see off NFD rookies Super Eagles of the Free State on their home field at Goble Park.

Eagles, who are seventh on the log, have won their last two home games and are on a fourgame unbeaten run, so it looks to be a tough fixture for the visiting team who have won four and lost once.

Today’s other matches pit Black Leopards of Limpopo, who qualified for the promotional play- offs last season against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzihandila (TTM FC – formerly Milano United) in what should be an action- packed derby at the Thohoyandou Stadium. The game will be shown live on SuperSport.

Leopards had not lost to Milano in five previous seasons and will want to keep it that way, but TTM are a different beast since relocating from the Cape.

KZN’s Royal Eagles entertain Eastern Cape rivals Mthatha Bucks at the Harry Gwala Stadium. Eagles come off a 3-2 away win over the Bay while Bucks’ unbeaten run ended when beaten 1-0 at home by Stellenbosch.

Eagles have yet to lose to Bucks since the latter joined the league.

NFD newcomers Uthongathi FC, who have one win from six starts and are in 14th place, are at home to ninth-placed Witbank Spurs, who have also managed one three-pointer but have drawn four times.

Winless Ubuntu Cape Town FC square off with fourthplaced Mbombela United at Athlone on Monday.

The Cape club is the only side yet to win a match this season, while Mbombela have won three of six games.

Cape Town All Stars were in action last night against former PSL side Cosmos at Athlone Stadium.