Our football analyst previews the GladAfrica Championship Week Four action which takes place on Saturday 14 September 2019.
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila continue to ride the crest of the GladAfrica Championship wave after thumping newly-formed Swallows 3-0. In the shock result of the previous gameweek, Uthongathi thrashed title-chasing Ajax Cape Town 3-0 and that upset my predicted treble! This time, Ajax host Tshakhuma in what could have been a top of the table clash. Let’s have a look and see what the upcoming gameweek has in store for us.
Saturday 14 September
Jomo Cosmos 13/10
Draw 2/1
Real Kings 2/1
Jomo Cosmos have drawn all three of their opening fixtures which means they have three points out of a possible nine. They face a Real Kings side who only managed to survive relegation by a whisker this season and they have played only two games in the current campaign, losing one and drawing the other. I expect home ground advantage to favour Ezenkosi against one of the league’s struggling teams. Put your money on Jomo Sono’s team.
Cape Umoya United 15/10
Draw 2/1
University of Pretoria 17/10
Newly-signed Ndiviwe Mdabuka is off the mark as he found the back of the net in Cape Umoya’s 1-1 draw against Richards Bay. The former Ajax Cape Town midfielder has added the much-needed experience to the team as they look to challenge promotion chasers.
University of Pretoria remain undefeated in the current season with two draws and one win. AmaTuks have scored in each of those outings with Nqobeko Dlamini currently sitting on two goals. Back the visitors to edge it.
Free State Stars 9/10
Draw 22/10
TS Sporting 28/10
Free State Stars remain winless in the GladAfrica Championship and it looks like the financial problems that haunted them in the elite league will still impact on their performances. Releasing most of their experienced players means they must work on new combinations as the season progresses.
TS Sporting are among the early strugglers as they are currently in the relegation zone with two defeats and one draw. As much as the club has been unlucky, they seem to have professional structures and good players to compete at this level. Back the visitors to turn the corner with a win here.
Swallows 17/10
Draw 2/1
Royal Eagles 15/10
Swallows are finding life hard in the GladAfrica Championship and they currently anchor the table with two defeats and one draw which has seen coach Zeca Marques bemoan missed chances. It remains to be seen if luck will be on their side this time. Royal Eagles should be glad that the legal issues between them and Uthongathi are now over and they can focus on playing the beautiful game. They drew their first game against high-flying rookies JDR Stars 2-2. I foresee this one ending in a draw as well.
Uthongathi 1/1
Draw 2/1
Steenberg United 5/2
Uthongathi made a return to football with a scintillating 3-0 victory over Ajax Cape Town with Pule Mmodi bagging a brace. The Cane Cutters finished last season in fifth place and will be looking to challenge for promotion this time around. On the other hand, Steenberg came back from a goal down to beat TS Sporting 3-1! I expect this match to be a goal fest with Uthongathi edging it on home soil.
Ajax Cape Town 14/10
Draw 2/1
Tshakhuma 18/10
This should be a thrill-packed encounter between two title contenders with Ajax looking to return to winning ways after suffering a 3-0 drubbing against Uthongathi while Tshakhuma will be looking to continue their near-perfect record. Ajax have conceded six goals in three games and that shaky defence has been the difference between them and the early pace setters. I say TTM win this one.
JDR Stars 17/10
Draw 2/1
Mbombela United 15/10
Newly-promoted JDR Stars have been impressive in the second tier of South African football and they currently sit second on the standings with one win and two draws. They face another undefeated side in Mbombela United who have played two games, winning one and drawing one. JDR have done well but I think the visitors will be too strong. Mbombela are tipped to emerge victorious.
TS Galaxy 16/10
Draw 19/10
Richards Bay 17/10
Richards Bay’s Devon Saal is currently the league’s top scorer with three goals in three games and that has propelled his team into fourth place. They face a TS Galaxy side who have played only two league games so far due to CAF Confederations Cup commitments.
The Rockets are doing well in the continent, but they remain winless in the league with two consecutive draws so far. This is likely to another stalemate involving the Nedbank Cup champions.
TREBLE @ 13/1
Uthongathi Win 1/1
Mbombela Win 15/10
Tshakhuma Win 18/10
Written by Benedict Ngwenya for Hollywoodbets.
