Our football analyst previews the NFD Week 13 action which kicks off on Saturday 8 December 2018
Stellenbosch who are in fine form continue to ride the crest of the NFD wave with Benson Mhlongo’s TS Sporting in hot pursuit. On the wrong end of the table, Cape Umoya United, who anchor the table, head into this gameweek off the back of a six-match losing streak. Let’s take a closer look at this weekend’s action.
Saturday 8 December
Real Kings 17/10
Draw 19/10
Mbombela United 16/10
Real Kings are eager to return to winning ways after suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of embattled Jomo Cosmos. The Magic Boys are just one spot above the relegation zone and they will have their work cut out for them as they come up against promotion-chasing Mbombela United. Tingwenyama are third on the log and they’ve just qualified for the Nedbank Cup last 32 by beating table-topping Stellenbosch 4-2 on penalties. I’m backing Mbombela to collect maximum points.
Witbank Spurs 13/10
Draw 2/1
Ubuntu Cape Town 2/1
This is a massive relegation battle as Witbank Spurs are only three points above Ubuntu Cape Town who are in the relegation zone. Spurs beat Uthongathi to qualify for the Nedbank Cup last 32 while Ubuntu welcomed losing 3-0 to Tshakhuma in the same competition as they can fully focus on fighting relegation. The momentum is with Witbank Spurs and they should be able to win this one.
Royal Eagles 13/10
Draw 2/1
Jomo Cosmos 2/1
Coach Sazi Ngubane has won his two league matches since taking over the coaching reigns at Royal Eagles a few weeks ago. Players like Andile Fikizolo are starting to step up to help the team at least break into the promotional play-off spots.
Jomo Cosmos finally returned to winning ways last week, snapping a four-match winless run. Ezenkosi are just one point below their opponents and winning this match could possibly see them break into the top three. This match is likely to end in a draw.
Maccabi 11/10
Draw 21/10
Richards Bay 23/10
Mokete Tsotetsi fielded a weakened side last week as Maccabi beat University of Pretoria 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup qualifiers. In terms of their league form, they’ve been impressive lately as they are currently on a here-match winning streak.
Richards Bay head into this fixture off the back of five consecutive draws and they have won only three games in the league so far. Maccabi should win this match at home.
TS Sporting 13/10
Draw 2/1
Tshakhuma 2/1
This is a battle between second and fourth and it should be a thrilling encounter! Benson Mhlongo returned to TS Sporting after agreeing to work with Sammy Troughton as his technical director. The difference between these two teams is three points. My money is on the home side.
Cape Umoya United 17/10
Draw 19/10
Uthongathi 16/10
Bottom-placed Cape Umoya United are enduring a six-match losing streak and it should be interesting to see what decision Roger De Sa will take regarding his coaching position. Uthongathi are winless in their last three matches and that has seen them plummet to ninth on the log. They also lost 1-0 to Witbank Spurs in the Nedbank Cup qualifiers. I’ll predict an Uthongathi win mainly because I don’t see Umoya beating anyone in the near future.
Sunday 9 December
TS Galaxy 26/10
Draw 22/10
Stellenbosch 19/20
Dan Malesela’s TS Galaxy who are placed 12th on the log are without a win in their last three league matches. This will be a stern test against high-flying Stellenbosch who have not tasted defeat since gameweek three. The Stellies top the standings with four points separating them and second-placed TS Sporting. Get on the visitors!
TREBLE @ 9/1
Uthongathi Win 16/10
Maccabi Win 11/10
Stellenbosch Win 19/20
