NFD battles become more intense
NFD battles become more intense
Posted: 2009-12-14 07:46
National First Division clubs are stepping up the battle for promotion to the lucrative Premier League next season as competition in both the Inland and Coastal Streams become more intense.
With only seven games remaining, African Warriors, Black Leopards, Nathi Lions and Vasco da Gama are currently all looking good for a spot in the Play-offs, while at the other end of the two logs, Winners Park and Hanover Park are facing uphill battles to avoid the drop.
There were two matches on Friday, in the first, Nathi and Carara Kicks played to a goalless draw in KZN, with University of Pretoria overcoming Winners 1-0 under floodlights at the Absa Tuks Stadium.
Striker Phinda Dlamini netted their winner for the Pretoria Students.
On Saturday, Warriors, with four straight wins in a row, maintained their Inland Stream lead after downing Dynamos 2-0 at Charles Mopeli Stadium, thanks to successful strikes by Keanon Thomas and Ange Lebahi, while Leopards and United FC played out a five-goal thriller – as Vladislav Heric’s side sneaked through 3-2 to remain just a point behind the Phuthaditjhaba-based club.
With Dynamos and United losing, it now looks like a two-horse race between Warriors and Leopards who have pulled away from the rest of the Inland pack, while yet another home loss for Bay United – humbled 3-1 by a resurgent Thanda Royal Zulu after a brilliant hat-trick by Peter Wadabwa – has left David Bright’s team pondering their next move!
Vasco failed to grab the opportunity of overtaking Nathi when FC Cape Town held them to a 1-1 draw at Blue Downs, but Roberto do Espirito Santo’s goal at least puts Carlos das Neves’ club above Bay and within striking distance of Lions – who have a better goal difference.
In the other Coastal match, there was another goalless draw as Hanover fought tooth and nail against their bitter Cape rivals, Ikapa Sporting FC, at Ikamva Stadium.
However, with Thanda picking up three valuable points, Rieduwaan Anthony’s team now find themselves well stuck in the relegation quagmire - four points adrift of the second last Witbank Spurs.
In the only match played on Sunday, there was joy for new Batau coach Zoran Pesic whose side overcame Spurs 2-0 .
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