Our football writer previews the NFD Week 12 action which kicks off on Saturday 24 November 2018.
This weekend’s NFD action will see Ajax Cape Town and TS Sporting having new coaches after parting ways with Muhsin Ertugral and Benson Mhlongo respectively. That is not the best way to head back into competitive football after a FIFA international break. How will it affect the respective teams? Elsewhere, two Cape Town teams in the shape of Roger De Sa’s Cape Umoya United and Ubuntu Cape Town are deep in the relegation zone and they will be fighting tooth and nail to try and get out of that situation.
Saturday 24 November
Ajax Cape Town 5/4
Draw 2/1
Royal Eagles 22/10
Ajax Cape Town, who are eighth on the log, have parted ways with coach Muhsin Ertugral after enduring a four-match winless run. Assistant coaches Calvin Marlin and Dylan Dean will mentor the team in the interim.
Royal Eagles have made it very clear that they won’t be hiring and have full faith in Sazi Ngubane who was called upon to take care of the team while the late Roger Sikhakhane was on sick leave. Ngubane’s Eagles beat Mbombela 1-0 before the FIFA break. My money is on Eagles to win away from home.
Mbombela United 5/4
Draw 43/20
TS Galaxy 43/20
Mbombela have been very inconsistent with four wins, four draws and three defeats. They will be looking to make amends for their 1-0 loss to Royal Eagles at home. They come up against a TS Galaxy side that is undefeated in the last four games with three of those ending in draws. I think this will be another draw in this derby encounter.
University of Pretoria 29/20
Draw 39/20
TS Sporting 2/1
University of Pretoria who one occupied top spot are now fourth on the standings and they will be looking to break into the PSL promotional play off places. TS Sporting have appointed Sammy Troughton as their technical director which triggered coach Benson Mhlongo’s disappearance after expressing his dissatisfaction about that decision. Mfanimbela Maseko will be the interim coach in this match. My money is on AmaTuks to win and leapfrog the visitors into third place.
Uthongathi 39/20
Draw 39/20
Stellenbosch 29/20
Uthongathi are one of the inconsistent teams in the NFD with four wins, four draws and three defeats. They lie fifth on the log and this will be a tough match against top-placed Stellenbosch who haven’t lost a single match since gameweek three. Come on, get on the table toppers to collect maximum points.
Richards Bay 27/20
Draw 39/20
Witbank Spurs
Richards Bay are winless in their last five games with four draws and one defeat. The Natal Rich Boyz lie 11th on the standings with 14 points from 11 games. Witbank Spurs have 11 points in 11 games and the difference between these teams is three points. I expect this match to end in a draw.
Cape Umoya United 33/20
Draw 2/1
Ubuntu Cape Town 43/20
This is a derby game between two teams that are at the very bottom of the table and it should be a compelling, make or break contest. After picking up only two wins in 11 games, Roger De Sa’s Cape Umoya United find themselves placed second from the bottom and the coach has bemoaned poor finishing as they head into the encounter off the back of five consecutive defeats.
Ubuntu Cape Town picked up their first win of the season when they shocked second-placed Tshakhuma. I think Roger’s men will come unstuck and I’m betting on them to lose.
Sunday 25 November
Jomo Cosmos 39/20
Draw 39/20
Real Kings 29/20
omo Cosmos are winless in their last four games and the latest of those was a five-goal thriller they lost 3-2 against top-placed Stellenbosch. On the other hand, Real Kings have suddenly turned their fortunes around and won three and drawn two of their last five games to move out of the relegation zone. Their form will be tested against Ezenkosi team that has a good record at home with one defeat in their own backyard so far this season. This match should end in a draw.
TREBLE @ 13/1
University of Pretoria Win 29/20
Stellenbosch Win 29/20
Tshakhuma vs Maccabi Draw 15/10
