After winning only one of their last five games, Stellenbosch now find themselves just one point above second-placed Ajax cape Town which opens a window of opportunity for the most dramatic end to the 2018/19 NFD season.
Speaking of Stellies, they won’t be in action this weekend as their opponents, TS Galaxy, have a Nedbank Cup date with Golden Arrows. Second-placed Ajax visit third-placed Royal Eagles in what should be a pulsating encounter.
Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore
Saturday 20 April
University of Pretoria 9/10
Draw 22/10
Jomo Cosmos 28/10
(15:00)
Moses Mokasi and Samuel Julies’ goals helped University of Pretoria to a 2-1 victory over TS Sporting last week and they will be looking to transfer their form into the home game against a struggling Jomo Cosmos side which is winless in three games. Ezenkosi played to a goalless draw with relegation-threatened Real Kings in KZN last week. AmaTuks should edge this one at home.
Royal Eagles 12/10
Draw 2/1
Ajax Cape Town 22/10
(15:00)
It’s do or die here as Eagles have a chance of going level on points with top-placed Stellenbosch while Ajax could go top with a victory. There’s nothing to choose between these two sides as they are both unbeaten in their last six games! Eagles have a slight advantage as they’re playing at home and I’ll back them to win.
Tshakhuma 8/10
Draw 22/10
TS Sporting 33/10
(15:00)
Tshakhuma are the form team at the moment as they head into this clash off the back of a four-match winning streak. The Limpopo-based outfit are still in with a chance to finish in the top three as they are three points behind third-placed Royal Eagles. TS Sporting actually have nothing to play for as they are safe from relegation and they can’t get promoted and last week they lost 2-1 to University of Pretoria. I think Tshakhuma will collect maximum points.
Ubuntu Cape Town 9/10
Draw 22/10
Witbank Spurs 28/10
(15:00)
This could be a game that decided Spurs’ fate as they’re rooted to the bottom of the table and last week they were rocked by a scandal where players were complaining about not being paid salaries and a picture of them being fed KFC and cooldrinks by South African Football Players Union surfaced. Ubuntu will be looking to win this one to condemn one of fellow relegation candidates to the chop. My money is on the visitors.
Sunday 21 April
Uthongathi 13/10
Draw 24/10
Cape Umoya United 4/1
(15:00)
The Cane Cutters surprised most people when they shocked top-placed Stellenbosch 2-1 and now they host a lesser Cape Town opponent. They have now drawn 10 and won 10 of their 27 games. Cape Umoya United head into this one off the back of two consecutive defeats. I foresee the Cane Cutters clinching a victory.
Mbombela United 5/10
Draw 5/2
Real Kings 11/2
(15:00)
This is a clash of two team with contrasting fortunes as Mbombela are pushing for a place in the top three with three points separating them from third place. On the other hand, Real Kings are second form the bottom of the table. There is a difference in class here and Mbombela’s quality should see them through.
Richards Bay 17/20
Draw 22/10
Maccabi 3/1
(15:00)
Richards Bay have fallen out of the promotion race after losing two consecutive games at this critical stage and they host a Maccabi side that has won only one of their last five games which should make for a dull affair. I think these sides will cancel each other out.
TREBLE @ 6/1
Royal Eagles Win 12/10
Uthongathi Win 13/10
Mbombela Win 5/10
Written by Benedict Ngwenya