A dramatic twist has occurred at the summit of the GladAfrica Championship standings with Ajax Cape Town having leapfrogged Uthongathi into first place. On the wrong end of the table, Jomo Cosmos and Royal Eagles find themselves in the relegation zone and they will be fighting tooth and nail to turn their fortunes around.
Let’s have a look at what gameweek 17 has instore for us.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Friday 10 January
Cape Umoya United 13/10
Draw 2/1
Richards Bay 2/1
It’s 11th against 12th on the table! Cape Umoya have lost three and won one of their four games under coach Maahier Davids who replaced Dominic Isaacs. Richards Bay have plummeted to 12th place after losing four consecutive league games! This should be a tight encounter with both sides taking a point home.
Saturday 11 January
Steenberg United 22/10
Draw 2/1
Ajax Cape Town 12/10
Ahead of this game, Steenberg have a midweek fixture against Jomo Cosmos as it couldn’t take place in December due to heavy rains. The rookies have really done well for themselves as they are tied on 25 points with third-placed University of Pretoria and by the time this game takes place they could be in a PSL play-off spot.
Top-placed Ajax Cape Town were ruthless in KZN when they beat Uthongathi 3-1 to leapfrog them into the top spot despite having played a game less. They will be hoping to maintain their lead at the top of the table. Another draw is on the cards!
Tshakhuma 17/20
Draw 22/10
Royal Eagles 3/1
Tshakhuma are among promotion-chasing teams and they’re currently two points below the play-off spots. They made their intentions clear by acquiring the services of dribbling wizard Masibusane Zongo in the current transfer window.
Royal Eagles are in the relegation after losing nine of their 16 games so far this season which is the most by any team in the division this season. I don’t see the KZN outfit causing an upset away from home hence I’m backing the hosts.
Free State Stars 13/10
Draw 2/1
Uthongathi 2/1
Free State Stars’ recent form of three wins and a draw in the last four games has seen them climb up to ninth on the table. They face a Uthongathi side who have won one of their last five games and are eager to turn the corner after relinquishing top spot to Ajax Cape Town. I foresee a cagey affair with these sides cancelling each other out.
JDR Stars 33/20
Draw 19/10
Moroka Swallows 33/20
After starting the season like a house on fire, newly-promoted JDR Stars have slowed down! They head into this match off the back of a four-match winless run, collecting one out of a possible 12 points. The appointment of coach Brandon Truter must have paid dividends for Swallows as they are now among promotion-chasing teams. The Dube Birds have won four of their last five games. Back the Soweto giants to record an away win!
Mbombela United 23/10
Draw 21/10
University of Pretoria 11/10
This is a clash of two teams with contrasting fortunes as AmaTuks lie third on the log which is a PSL play-off promotion spot and their opponents are one spot above the relegation zone. Tingwenyama head into this one off the back of a four-match winless run and it would take a mighty miracle for them to get something out of this game. My money is on University of Pretoria.
TS Galaxy 13/10
Draw 2/1
Real Kings 2/1
CAF Confederations Cup elimination must have been a blessing in disguise for TS Galaxy as they have not won a league game ever since. They have now won two and drawn two of their last four GladAfrica Championship games. Real Kings are one of the three teams who are one point below a PSL play-off spot which should make this game a thrilling contest. This is a match between two quality sides and I expect a share of the spoils.
Sunday 12 January
Jomo Cosmos 15/10
Draw 19/10
TS Sporting 18/10
Ahead of their midweek fixture against Steenberg, Jomo Cosmos are rooted to the foot of the table and they desperately need results to climb out of the relegation zone. TS Sporting are three points above their opponents and a defeat would see them dropping deep into the relegation dogfight. This is a tricky encounter, but I’ll back Cosmos due to home ground advantage.
TREBLE @ 13/1
Swallows win 33/20
University of Pretoria Win 11/10
Jomo Cosmos Win 15/10
Written by Benedict Ngwenya for Hollywoodbets.
