NFD: Weekend Preview

The National First Division moves into round 22 this weekend, with six matches scheduled for Saturday and another two for Sunday.

All matches kick off at 15:30.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Black Leopards (9th) v Moroka Swallows (16th) – Thohoyandou Stadium

Leopards go in this match having lost their last two games, and drawn three before that. Swallows have lost their last seven league matches – the last time they earned any points was in a 1-1 draw with Lidoda Duvha at the start of January; these two former PSL clubs will both badly be wanting the win on Saturday.

FC Cape Town (11th) v Royal Eagles (5th) – NNK Rugby Stadium

The African Beasts have shown they have no intention of getting sucked into the relegation zone, 10 points from their last four games and a couple of wins over the league’s top two sides proof of that. Eagles though are in equally good form; having won four of their last five NFD encounters.

Cape Town All Stars (8th) v Witbank Spurs (2nd) – Athlone Stadium

All Stars will feel they are due a win, having won only one of their last five games. Spurs lost to FC Cape Town in their last match, but won four on the trot before that. Igugu Lekapa recorded a 3-0 away win over Spurs at the start of 2016.

Mbombela United (6th) v Vasco Da Gama (13th) – Kanyamazane Stadium

Mbombela have dropped off the pace somewhat after drawing four, and winning one, of their last five matches. Vasco have lost four in a row since beating African Warriors at the end of January. Mbombela already have two wins over Vasco this season – one in the league and one in the Nedbank Cup, both away from home.

Highlands Park (3rd) v Thanda Royal Zulu (12th) – Makhulong Stadium

Highlands Park drew 0-0 with log leaders Baroka FC in their last outing and have claimed 11 points from their last five games to keep themselves in the play-off zone. Thanda secured a much-needed win over All Stars in their most recent action, a first victory in eight NFD games for the KZN team.

Mthatha Bucks (15th) v Santos (10th) – Mthatha Stadium

The score between these two sides stands at 1-1: Bucks beat Santos 2-1 in the league before the Peoples’ Team exacted revenge with a 1-0 Nedbank Cup last 32 victory. Amathol’amnyama are undefeated in their last four games, winning one, while Santos have picked up five points from their last five league outings.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

AmaZulu (7th) v Baroka FC (1st) – Princess Magogo Stadium

AmaZulu, who crashed out of the Nedbank Cup on penalties to Jomo Cosmos, have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five NFD encounters. Within six points of the play-offs, they have their work cut out against log leaders Baroka FC, who will be wanting to find some form following just one win on their last four games.

Milano United (4th) v African Warriors (14th) – Athlone Stadium

Seven wins from their last eight matches shows that Milano United are serious about making the play-offs. Warriors have taken four points from their last two games, having gone on an eight match winless run before that.

Weekend Suspension list:

AMAZULU – MAME NIANG

BLACK LEOPARDS – KHUNADI NKOANA, THIVHAVHUDZI NDOU

CAPE TOWN ALL STARS – MLUNGISI MBUNJANA

F.C. CAPE TOWN – HESHAM IBRAHIUM

MOROKA SWALLOWS – JAMES BELL

MTHATHA BUCKS – WANDISILE FUKUTWA

THANDA ROYAL ZULU – SIPHO BHENGU

Source : PSL Media