Ubuntu must pull up their socks

UBUNTU CAPE TOWN FC end the year at the bottom of the National First Division standings.

The other two – Stellenbosch FC and Cape Town All Stars – have enjoyed time atop the 16-team table.

Ubuntu have collected a solitary win at the halfway mark of a 30-match programme, hence their current predicament.

That much-needed three-pointer from beating Mthatha Bucks away ended a three-month stay at the foot of the log, which bumped Richards Bay to the bottom.

The Bay have since moved out of the relegation zone thanks to a 2-1 home win over Black Leopards last weekend.

Bucks were beaten 2-1 by high-flyers Jomo Cosmos, resulting in an appearance in the bottom two for the first time although on the same number of points as the Bay.

Ubuntu’s seventh loss of the season after going down 4-2 away to Royal Eagles left the Cape side on a paltry 10 points, three points adrift of their nearest rivals.

At the other end of the table, Highlands Park continue to set the pace.

Highlands have won nine of 15 matches and have earned 30 points for a two-point lead over Cosmos, while the University of Pretoria complete the podium, five points off the pace.

Stellenbosch is the best-placed local team in sixth (22 points).

The men from the Winelands made a great start to their campaign and seemed set to challenge for automatic promotion to the PSL.

But over the past couple of months they suffered a meltdown due to a goal drought and now a topthree finish looks unlikely.

Much the same to report about All Stars.

Two coaches have come and gone and maybe a third will follow if incumbent Brandon Truter fails to improve the team’s fortunes.

The man with plenty of local knowledge took over from Vladislav Heric who in turn replaced former Bafana Bafana defender David Kannemeyer.

Ninth-placed All Stars did play out a draw with Park last time out.