Our football analyst gives predictions on the NFD round six fixtures which kick off on Friday 29 September.
Last week’s results were very easy to call with coach Steve Barker’s Stellenbosch topping the standings with Shaun Bartlett’s University of Pretoria, who had a slow start to the season, now occupying second place.
Uthongathi suffered their first home defeat of the season with two struggling teams who were expected to challenge for the title, Highlands Park and Royal Eagles, appointing new coaches to come and rescue their campaigns.
Friday 29 September
Cape Town All Stars 12/10 | Draw 21/10 | Black Leopards 22/10
Cape Town All Stars have suffered back-to-back losses after remaining undefeated in their opening three matches. One must note though that the two defeats were against top of the table sides in the shape of Mbombela and Stellenbosch.
Black Leopards haven’t been the same ever since Siphelele Ntshangase departed for Baroka FC. They are winless in their last four matches in which they suffered two defeats. Lidoda Duvha are now fourth from the bottom. I’m tipping the Cape Town side here.
Saturday 30 September
Highlands Park 12/10 | Draw 21/10 | Ubuntu Cape Town 22/10
Highlands Park who just got relegated from the PSL come into this clash off the back of three consecutive defeats and they are now in ninth place. The team has decided to appoint former Bafana Bafana assistant coach, Owen Da Gama, who has a great deal of PSL and NFD experience and I’m expecting him to revive the side.
Ubuntu Cape Town are winless in their opening five matches. Since losing their opener, they’ve drawn four matches on the trot. They are now second from the bottom and it shall be interesting to see how they deal with their opponent that’s on the cusp of revival. Put your money on Highlands Park to claim maximum points.
Mthatha Bucks 13/10 | Draw 21/10 | Stellenbosch FC 2/1
Mthatha Bucks are yet to taste defeat in the current campaign with two victories and three draws under their belt. Amatholamnyama who handed Uthongathi FC their first home defeat of the season last week, lie fourth on the log and they are two points shy of top spot.
Stellenbosch top the standings and Steve Barker’s charges have been very impressive so far this season. They have won three and drawn two of their opening five games to keep their hopes of securing automatic PSL promotion alive. Get on the Stellies to triumph away from home.
Richards Bay 11/10 | Draw 21/10 | Royal Eagles 24/10
Richards Bay have finally won a league game this season, overcoming newly-purchased Tshakhuma 3-1. They are now somewhat out of the relegation zone with five points out of a possible 15. They go into the KZN derby to face off against a winless team that has recently appointed a new coach.
Having struggled in their first four matches, Royal Eagles decided to sack Alan Freese and appoint Zipho Dlangalala to take care of things. His first match in charge ended in a goalless draw against newly-promoted Super Eagles. This match is likely to end in a draw.
14/10 Super Eagles | 2/1 | Real Kings FC 19/10
The newly-promoted outfit managed to grind out a point in KZN against Royal Eagles last week to record their second draw of the season. Since losing their first two games, they have won once and drawn twice. There were no prizes for guessing that their match last week would end in a draw, given their well-known defensive approach to every game they play.
Eagles have not scored or conceded more than one goal so far this season. They have drawn four and won one of their opening five matches. Kings will be happy with a point away from home and I foresee another draw here.
12/10 University of Pretoria | 21/10 | Mbombela United 22/10
University of Pretoria have turned their fortunes around in the current season and they are now placed second with only one point separating them and the top-placed Stellenbosch. After only collecting one point in their first two matches, AmaTuks turned the corner and won three consecutive games.
Mbombela are playing a team that is just one spot above them and they know that a victory will see them definitely claiming second place with a possibility of topping the standings again if Stellenbosch win their match. This will be a cagey affair and a draw is expected.
Sunday 1 October
8/10 Jomo Cosmos | 22/10 | Uthongathi FC 33/10
Jomo Cosmos’ inconsistency has let them down this season with a mixed bag of results being the story of their life. Last week they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ubuntu Cape Town. Before then, they had won two and lost two of their first four matches.
Uthongathi finally suffered their first home defeat of the season, going down 2-1 to Mthatha Bucks. This came after they had also lost 2-0 to Super Eagles away from home and they face a very tough test against seasoned campaigners in the form of Ezenkosi. As much as I’d like Uthongathi to return to winning ways, I just think Cosmos will edge this one.
13/10 Tshakhuma FC | 21/10 | Witbank Spurs 2/1
Tshakhuma started the season shambolically, suffering two defeats in a row, but they followed that up by winning the next two. However, last week they were beaten 3-1 by Richards Bay who had never won a league game.
Witbank last won on the opening day after which they have drawn three matches on the bounce and suffered their first defeat last week. The boys from Emalahleni now lie eighth on the log with six points out of a possible 15. This one is likely to end in a draw.
LAST WEEK’S TREBLE WON @ 25/2
Stellenbosch Win 9/10
Black Leopards vs Real Kings Draw 21/10
Jomo Cosmos Win 13/10
THIS WEEK’S TREBLE TIPPED @ 11/1
Highlands Park Win 12/10
Stellenbosch Win 2/1
Jomo Cosmos Win 8/10
