Our football writer previews the NFD Week 11 action which kicks off on Saturday 10 November 2018.
Stellenbosch’s fantastic run of form has seen them continue to ride the crest of the NFD wave with the likes of Tshakhuma and TS Sporting in hot pursuit. The Stellies will be looking to maintain their unbeaten spell when they go head-to-head with Jomo Cosmos this weekend.
Ubuntu Cape Town remain the only winless team in the league so far this season and they face a stern test against promotion-chasing Tshakhuma in a match that should be easy to call. In another banker, Ajax Cape Town will be looking to make amends for dropping points last week when they visit Witbank Spurs.
Saturday 10 November
Stellenbosch 8/10
Draw 22/10
Jomo Cosmos 33/10
Stellenbosch striker, Iqraam Rayners, is now the league’s leading goalscorer with seven goals after his penalty contributed to his team’s 3-0 victory at University of Pretoria. The Stellies are now placed atop the NFD standings.
Charlton Mashumba leapt off the bench to salvage a 1-1 draw for Ezenkosi against bottom-placed Ubuntu Cape Town last week. This was his second goal in as many games after scoring in a similar result against University of Pretoria. Given Cosmos’ poor away record I’ll put my money on the hosts.
Maccabi 16/10
Draw 2/1
Uthongathi 16/10
Lebohang “Cheeseboy” Mokoena’s strike helped his team grind out a 2-1 victory over a spirited Royal Eagles side last week. That victory put to a stop a two-match losing streak. On the other hand, Uthongathi’s Tshepo Lephoko scored a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw against Mbombela United. I reckon this will be a tightly-contested encounter and it will end in a draw.
Mbombela 12/10
Draw 2/1
Royal Eagles 22/10
Coach Zlatko Krmpotic who replaced the late Roger Sikhakhane and Kagiso Dikgacoi lost his first match in charge of Royal Eagles 2-1 to Maccabi. Eagles are now 12th on the log and they come up against a team that is among the league title contenders.
Mbombela United are four points off the pace and they will be looking to close the gap on top-placed Stellenbosch. This should end in a Mbombela victory.
Real Kings 12/10
Draw 2/1
Cape Umoya United 22/10
Real Kings have finally moved out of the relegation zone following a four-match unbeaten run during a period in which they amassed eight out of a possible 12 points. The Magic Boys are tied on nine points with their opponents and whoever loses this match will be stuck in a serious relegation dogfight. Cape Umoya United have a recent record of four consecutive defeats. I’m tipping a Real Kings victory here.
TS Sporting 11/10
Draw 21/10
Richards Bay 23/10
TS Sporting returned to winning ways last week when they beat Roger De Sa’s Cape Umoya United 2-0. Benson Mhlongo’s men now lie third on the log and they can’t afford to lose ground on the other front-runners.
On the other hand, Richards Bay head into this one off the back of three consecutive draws which have taken their winless run to four games. The home side should be too strong for the Natal Rich Boyz.
Witbank Spurs 23/10
Draw 21/10
Ajax Cape Town 11/10
This is a must-win clash for Ajax Cape Town who inexplicably dropped points last week against Real Kings. The Urban Warriors are five points off the pace and are targeting at least a PSL promotional play-off spot. Their opponents in the shape of Witbank Spurs are second from the bottom on the log hence I say this is an easy match to call. Back an Ajax win.
Sunday 11 November
TS Galaxy 18/10
Draw 19/10
University of Pretoria 15/10
Galaxy managed to hold Richards Bay to a goalless draw in Umhlathuze Sports Complex. They’re unbeaten in the last three games with a record of two draws and one win. University of Pretoria who once topped the standings were thrashed 3-0 by high-flying Stellenbosch and they will be hoping to turn their fortunes around against a lesser opponent. My money is on the visitors.
Ubuntu Cape Town 4/1
Draw 23/10
Tshakhuma 13/20
Ubuntu Cape Town were denied their first maximum points of the season last week when Charlton Mashumba scored an equaliser for Jomo Cosmos eight minutes from time. They’re still rooted to the foot of the table and they will have their work cut out for them against promotion-chasing TTM. The Limpopo-based outfit has only lost one game so far this season and they lie second on the log. Get on Tshakhuma to outclass a struggling side.
TREBLE @ 5/1
Stellenbosch Win 8/10
Ajax Cape Town Win 11/10
Tshakhuma Win 13/20
Click here to bet now
