NFD promotion race wide open
NFD promotion race wide open
Posted: 2010-01-25 07:47
For the second time in successive weeks, leading Coastal and Inland Stream clubs have failed to cement their Play-off places with Bay United crumbling to a 1-0 home defeat, while both Nathi Lions and African Warriors could each only manage 2-2 draws to lower opposition.
However, Vasco da Gama and Witbank Spurs grabbed their opportunities with fine 3-1 wins over Carara Kicks and United FC, respectively - to move within a point of the top.
Bay slipped to third after relegation threatened FC Cape Town shocked Umlilo at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Stadium and with Vasco's win - the stage is set for a thrilling finish with just three games to go.
Carlos das Neves' side were 2-0 up at half time, thanks to Bradley August and the ever-determined Keenin Lesch, and when August grabbed his brace in the 60th minute, Vasco's faithful home fans cheered the former Bafana Bafana striker but were disappointed when Kicks scored a late consolation goal.
Sammy Troughton's improving Thanda Royal Zulu knocked the wind out of Lions with goals from Peter Wadabwa and Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi and although AmaBhubhesi retain their lead after successful strikes by Thula Ndlovu and Themba Makhoba, Vasco has moved above Bay on goal difference.
The bottom two sides, Hanover Park and Ikapa Sporting, played out a goalless draw at Blue Downs, which doesn't help either outfit.
This result, coupled with FC Cape Town's vital victory, means it is almost certain that either Park or Ikapa will fall into the Vodacom Second Division.
In the Inland Steam, Warriors' wobbles continued following their draw with battling Batau who moved above University of Pretoria after Steve Barker's side were thrashed 4-0 by last-placed Winners Park.
The much-publicised visit of former Argentinean star Diego Maradona to Tuks' Pretoria Academy doesn't appear to have inspired the team which now has a real job securing its status following this disastrous result.
The four heroes for Winners were Adayomi Adebayo, Samuel Ramasoeu, Desmond Chauke and Sibusiso Nhlapo.
And thanks to Patrick Mubayiwa's brace and a single strike from Sici Shelembe, last season's strugglers, Spurs, are now in prime position to go for the kill – although Leopards and Dynamos, who meet on Wednesday, have games in hand over the rest of the pack.
Peter Raath
Comment on this article:
TERMS OF USE: The comments posted below do not reflect the views of KickOff.com. Users are reminded that no misuse of this comment facility will be tolerated. Any abusive, racist or inflammatory comments will be deleted and the user banned. Please report abusive posts to editor@kickoff.com