National First Division fixtures released

The National First Division (NFD) new season kicks off on Saturday 17 August, with some interesting fixtures.

The first battle to raise eyebrows should be the anticipated humdinger between Limpopo’s Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC, and Cape Umoya United FC, at Thohoyandou Stadium.

The Limpopo side failed to make an impression during the NFD play-offs for promotion into the Absa Premiership.

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC should be looking for a great start to the season, if the team is serious about automatic promotion into the paid ranks as champions this time around.

Another top fixture is the match-up between hosts Ajax Cape Town FC and Free State Stars FC at Athlone Stadium.

Both Free State Stars FC and Ajax Cape Town have in recent years tasted life in the pro ranks, and should be aiming to return back “home” during the current NFD season.

Dan Malesela’s TS Galaxy FC, the surprise winners of the Nedbank Cup, kick off its campaign with a fixture against tough-as-teak Jomo Cosmos FC at Kameelrivier Stadium.

Jomo Cosmos FC is mentored by legendary former Bafana Bafana head coach, Jomo Sono.

Newly-promoted Steenberg United FC have an away date with University of Pretoria at Tuks Stadium.

University of Pretoria FC is one of the teams to have spent time in the paid ranks of the Absa Premiership.

In other fixtures, Maccabi United FC welcomes TS Sporting FC, while Mpumalanga’s Mbombela United FC is away to Royal Eagles FC of KwaZulu-Natal.

— The BEAT