Double-header a possible decider in premier league

WITH 10 matches remaining, this weekend’s double-header could go a long way towards deciding who will win the Safa-NMB premier league soccer title.

Young Ideas will favour their chances of retaining their six-point lead when they play Motherwell Academy tomorrow and Despatch Pioneers on Sunday.

However, as the season heads to a close, the front-runners can expect no favours as the teams are either battling to avoid relegation or want to finish as high up as possible on the log to earn a bigger share of prize money.

While Motherwell appear to be safe from relegation, Pioneers are just outside the danger zone and desperately need points.

Ideas coach Bulelani Fina admitted that there were no easy matches.

“There is no time for complacency,” Fina said. “We are going to take one game at a time and will only think about [Despatch] Pioneers once we have taken care of Motherwell [Academy] tomorrow.”

Fairview Rovers, who are second, play Pioneers at the Khayamnandi Stadium in Despatch tomorrow and Central Acemates in Windvogel.

They need to win both matches to keep the pressure on Ideas.

In their last match, Rovers battled to a 1-0 win over Camper United.

“The pressure is more on us than [Young] Ideas because they have the points on the board,” Rovers coach Brendon Prince said.

“Pioneers are not easy to beat on their home turf, and Acemates are ca- pable of beating any team given half a chance.

“Acemates start at a high tempo. If we can keep them out for the first 20 minutes we can beat them.”

Lion City, the only other team who could win the championship, play Peace United at the Walmer High field tomorrow and Motherwell Academy at the NU2 Stadium on Sunday.

“It’s do or die,” City boss Biyana Ngubo said. “With an eight-point deficit we cannot win the league title on our own. We must win our remaining matches and hope Ideas and Rovers drop points along the way.”

With the league title out of their reach, Royal Bucks and Callies will continue their battle for fourth place.

Both teams play Ikamva Movers at the weekend. In their second matches, Bucks play Island City, while Callies take on Hotspurs.

Callies have fallen out of contention and are fifth on the log. They play Hotspurs at the Westbourne Oval tomorrow and Highland Spurs at Jabavu Stadium on Sunday.

Tailenders Camper United, unlucky not to come away with a point from their match against Fairview Rovers last week, could have the beating of Ghetto Stars at the Walmer Community field if they reproduce that form.

Ghetto have faded badly and are just outside the relegation zone. Tomorrow, Camper face Highland Spurs at the NU9 Stadium.

Fixtures: Tomorrow: Callies v Hotspurs (Westbourne Oval), Camper United v Highland Spurs (NU9 Stadium), Central Acemates v Ghetto Stars (Westbourne Oval), Despatch Pioneers v Fairview Rovers (Khayamnandi), Peace United v Lion City (Walmer High), Royal Bucks v Island City (NU9 Stadium), Showvillage United v Ikamva Movers (NU9 Stadium), Young Ideas v Motherwell Academy (NU9) Sunday: Island City v Peace United (Jubilee Stadium), Lion City v Motherwell Academy (NU2 Stadium), Despatch Pioneers v Young Ideas (Khayamnandi), Fairview Rovers v Central Acemates (Windvogel), Ghetto Stars v Camper United (Walmer Community field), Highland Spurs v Callies, Ikamva Movers v Royal Bucks (NU2 Stadium)