As expected, Ajax Cape Town and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila won their respective opening games to make their promotion ambitions clear. Elsewhere, Uthongathi and Royal Eagles had their fixtures postponed due to legal issues that have not been revealed. These two KZN teams also won’t feature this week for the same reason.
Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore
Friday 23 August
Cape Umoya United 18/10
Draw 2/1
Maccabi 14/10
(15:00)
Cape Umoya United understandably lost 2-1 to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila who are tipped to be title contenders. Dominic Isaacs’ men will be hoping to use home ground advantage to their favour when they host Maccabi who are yet to change their name to Moroka Swallows. The visitors have acquired the services of Ayanda Rorwana and Itumeleng Shopane from Kaizer Chiefs to strengthen their side for the current campaign. A draw is on the cards.
Saturday 24 August
Mbombela United 2/1
Draw 2/1
Ajax Cape Town 13/10
(15:00)
Mbombela could not play in the opening week as their opponent, Uthongathi, had some legal issues to deal with. Tingwenyama might face baptism of fire against a high-flying Ajax side who beat Free State Stars 3-2 last week. The Urban Warriors currently top the standings and their goal is to gain automatic promotion to the PSL. My money is on Ajax.
TS Sporting 13/10
Draw 2/1
Richards Bay 2/1
(15:00)
Both these sides drew their respective games in the opening weekend with TS Sporting playing to a 1-1 draw with Maccabi, while the match between Richards Bay and newly-promoted JDR Stars also ended with a share of the spoils. New Rich Boyz’s draw was a disappointing one as they let slip a 2-0 lead against the rookies. I foresee another draw here.
Sunday 25 August
JDR Stars 15/10
Draw 2/1
Real Kings 17/10
(15:00)
Newly-promoted JDR Stars displayed a great deal of resilience by coming back from 2-0 against Richards Bay to snatch a draw from jaws of a defeat. This time they’re at home to Real Kings who had to dig deep to survive relegation last season. They couldn’t play last week as their opponent was sorting out some legal issues. It shall be interesting to see how the Magic Boys do this season. I think match will end in a stalemate.
Free State Stars 15/10
Draw 2/1
University of Pretoria 17/10
(15:00)
This is a clash of two teams with contrasting fortunes in the opening stages of the season. The hosts lost 3-2 to Ajax Cape Town last week while AmaTuks managed to record a slender 1-0 win over newly-promoted Steenberg. With Ea Lla Koto having overhauled their side, it will take a while for the new signings to jell and I think they will struggle in the next few weeks. The visitors should win this one.
TREBLE @ 18/1
Ajax Cape Town Win 13/10
TS Sporting v Richards Bay Draw 2/1
University of Pretoria Win 17/10
Written by Benedict Ngwenya