Leaders could slip from top
THERE is every likelihood that NMU Madibaz will lose their position at the top of the Safa-NMB SAB League log this weekend.
The students, who head the standings on goal difference and have a match in hand, will be in action this evening, while their three closest rivals have doubleheaders this weekend.
Madibaz should pick up maximum points against struggling Amarahamba United at the Mqhayi Primary School in KwaNobuhle this evening.
With eight points to their name, United are just a place away from the bottom of the log.
Morning Stars, who lost their position at the top of the log last week, despite beating Highland Spurs 2-0, play PE Sundowns at the Chevrolet Stadium tomorrow and Fairview Rovers at the Zwide Stadium on Sunday. While Stars will start as favourites against Sundowns, who were thumped 3-1 by Despatch Pioneers last week, they could struggle against Rovers.
Rovers are four points behind the log leaders and could move to the top, if they beat Stars and Young Killers this weekend.
Hearts, unbeaten in two games last week, play Camper United at Gelvandale’s Saints field this evening and Motherwell Academy at NU2 Stadium on Sunday.
A point behind the joint leaders, Hearts are the favourites.
Meanwhile, Pioneers, who had a great week, with a win over Sundowns and a draw against Morning Stars, are determined to continue from where they left off.
“Coming off the excellent result against the two top teams in the league, we are confident of taking points off Golden Aces tomorrow and Camper United on Sunday,” Pioneers coach Zandisile Foster said.
“However, we will be without influential skipper Sdima Sdima, who will be out of action for the next two weeks through injury.”
With the four points they picked up last week, Pioneers moved up three places – to 14th on the log – and out of the relegation zone.
Tailenders FC Winners should at least pick up a point from their matches against Ikamva Movers and fellow stragglers Mabayibone Strikers.
The fixtures are: Tonight: Hearts v Camper United (Saints, Gelvandale), Young Killers v Highland Spurs (tbc), Amarahamba United v NMU Madibaz (Mqhayi Primary School), Young Ideas v PE Sundowns (NU9 Stadium). Tomorrow: Roaring Tigers v Major Chiefs (Chevrolet Stadium), Ikamva Movers v Motherwell Academy (Chevrolet Stadium), Despatch Pioneers v Golden Aces (Khayamnandi), Mabayibone Strikers v FC Winners (Walmer Community field), Fairview Rovers v Young Killers (Saints, Gelvandale), PE Sundowns v Morning Stars (Chevrolet Stadium). Sunday: Morning Stars v Fairview Rovers (Zwide Stadium), Mabayibone Strikers v Roaring Tigers (Walmer Community field), Highland Spurs v Amarahamba (tbc), Golden Aces v Young Ideas (Zwide Stadium), Camper United v Despatch Pioneers (NU9 Stadium), Motherwell Academy v Hearts (NU2 Stadium), FC Winners v Ikamva Movers (Mawabo Dyubhe Stadium).