Our football writer gives his insight into the NFD Week 10 action which kicks off on Saturday 3 November 2018.
This is an exciting gameweek with a top of the table clash between Stellenbosch and University of Pretoria. Ajax Cape Town, who have plummeted to seventh on the log, will be seeking redemption at home against relegation-threatened Real Kings.
Roger De Sa’s Cape Umoya United will be looking to snap their three-match losing streak when they visit Benson Mhlongo’s TS Sporting, while Jomo Cosmos, whose good record at home is well-documented, host bottom-placed Ubuntu Cape Town who are still winless this season.
Saturday 3 November
Tshakhuma 7/10
Draw 24/10
Witbank Spurs 7/2
Tshakhuma have only lost one game in the current season and are placed third on the standings. They came back in the dying stages to salvage a 1-1 draw against top-placed Stellenbosch last week to keep things interesting at the top.
Witbank Spurs have collected only eight points in nine games and that has made them serious relegation candidates as they sit one point above the drop zone. Tshakhuma are tipped to win convincingly at home.
Ajax Cape Town 6/10
Draw 5/2
Real Kings 42/10
Ajax Cape Town, who were expected to be runaway winners of the NFD title at the start of the season, are not having it as easy as they’d have envisaged as they find themselves in seventh spot and three points off the pace. The Urban Warriors lost 1-0 at Uthongathi last week and that result followed a goalless draw at home against bottom-placed Ubuntu Cape Town.
Despite winning two and drawing one of their last three games in which they’ve scored seven goals, Real Kings are still placed second from the bottom of the log which owes to their poor start to the season. The momentum is with the free-scoring Magic Boys. This is a bold call but I’m backing the visitors.
University of Pretoria 12/10
Draw 2/1
Stellenbosch 22/10
The difference between these two teams at the summit of the NFD table is just a single point and Stellenbosch head into this one knowing that any of the top seven teams could potentially catch up with them or even leapfrog them in this gameweek. Steve Barker’s men conceded at the death to draw 1-1 with Tshakhuma last week.
University of Pretoria’s 2-0 win over bottom-placed Ubuntu Cape Town lifted them closer to their opponents and this presents a golden opportunity for them to top the log. AmaTuks are unbeaten in the last four games while the Stellies haven’t tasted defeat in the last five matches. My money is on Stellenbosch.
Royal Eagles 11/10
Draw 2/1
Maccabi 24/10
Royal Eagles caretaker coach Sazi Ngubane won his first match in charge of the club when they beat Cape Umoya United last week. He took over the reigns after the club suspended assistant coach Kagiso Dikgacoi who babysat the position due to coach Roger Sikhakhane’s health issues.
They visit a Maccabi side which has slid down to ninth place after losing tow matches in a row. They were edged 1-0 by Maccabi at Kameelrivier Stadium last week. I think backing a draw is the way to go here.
TS Sporting 8/10
Draw 23/10
Cape Umoya United 3/1
TS Sporting haven’t scored more than one goal in each of their last nine matches so far this season however their defence has been good with Oscarine “Puskas” Masuluke in the goalkeeping department as they’ve kept seven clean sheets so far this season.
Cape Umoya United will be looking to turn the corner as they head into this match off the back of three consecutive defeats. Roger De Sa’s men have collected only eight points in nine games. TS Sporting should triumph at home.
Uthongathi 12/10
Draw 2/1
Mbombela United 22/10
Beating Ajax Cape Town last week has put Uthongathi two points off the pace which is the same number of points as their opponents in the form of Mbombela United. Uthongathi will be happy to welcome the league’s leading goalscorer Siyabonga Vilane back from suspension. Mbombela were so brilliant at home against Jomo Cosmos where they emerged 2-0 victors. Uthongathi should win at home.
Sunday 4 November
Jomo Cosmos 5/10
Draw 26/10
Ubuntu Cape Town 11/2
After going seven games unbeaten, Jomo Cosmos finally suffered their second defeat of the season last week when they lost 2-0 at Mbombela United. Ezenkosi are known for their formidable record at home where they will face Ubuntu Cape Town who are still winless in the current campaign. The Capetonians are rooted to the foot of the table with two points in nine games. This is written Cosmos victory all over it.
Richards Bay 12/10
Draw 2/1
TS Galaxy 22/10
The difference between Richards Bay and TS Galaxy is very small as they have 12 and 11 points respectively. The Natal Rich Boys are winless in their last three games with a record of two draws and one loss.
On the other hand, Dan ‘Dance’ Malesela’s TS Galaxy have been blowing hot and cold over the last three weeks with one win, one draw and one defeat. This is written draw all over it.
TREBLE @ 9/2
Tshakhuma Win 7/10
Uthongathi Win 12/10
