Mbombela, Witbank chase NFD play-off spot
Interestingly, both Witbank and Mbombela, who are perched in position sixth and seventh spot respectively, are separated by a mere one point and will take each other at Puma Rugby Stadium this coming Saturday.
Mbombela United secured their fourth successive win when they thumped yet another Cape side in FC Cape Town 3-1 at KaNyamazane Stadium on Wednesday.
Tingwenyama had to come from a goal down to ensure that their dominance over Cape side continues.The Beast of Africa took a lead through Lucky Nguzana, but a brace by veteran striker’ Inky Masuku and another goal from Tsepho Luphoko kept the Mbombela-based side’s hopes of landing a play-off spot for the second successive alive.
With Thanda Royal Zulu have been confirmed as the 2016/17 NFD champions, the race for the play-off spots, however, is still in full swing.
At least six teams stand a chance to grab the only two spots available in the play-offs. These include Black Leopards, Stellenbosch FC, Royal Eagles, Amazulu and two Mpumalanga based sides in Witbank Spurs and Mbombela United. And Wednesday results brought no changes among the six chasing pack as all five, despite Mbombela who beat FC Cape Town 3, failed to collect maximum points.
Second placed, Leopards from Limpopo played to a goalless draw against fourth placed’ KwaZulu Natal based side Royal Eagles at Harry Gwala Stadium.
Stellenbosch from the Western Cape, who sit sandwiched between the two, went down 2-1 to Thanda Royal Zulu at Umhlathuze Sports Complex. The win mathematically secured Thanda a promotion to the Premier Soccer League as it take them 12-points clear of the chasing pack with three games to go.
Also Read: Mbombela take aim at FC Cape Town
Fifth placed Amazulu’s chances of landing a play-off spot took a knock after they went down 1-0 to Milano United at Athlone Stadium.
Witbank Spurs collected a crucial point when they held Real Kings to a 1-all draw at King Zwelithini Stadium.
A mere four points separates the chasing pack with three games to go. Leopards are second with 44-points, Stellenbosch third with 43-points and all Eagles, Amazulu and Witbank share the fourth spot with 41-points each. Mbombela are just one point further back.
Full results:
| Santos | 1 | – | 1 | Jomo Cosmos | Athlone Stadium | |
| Thanda Royal Zulu FC | 2 | – | 1 | Stellenbosch FC | Umhlathuze Sports Complex | |
| Royal Eagles | 0 | – | 0 | Black Leopards | Harry Gwala Stadium | |
| Mbombela United | 3 | – | 1 | FC Cape Town | Kanyamazane Stadium | |
| Magesi FC | 1 | – | 0 | Cape Town All Stars | Old Peter Mokaba Stadium | |
| Mthatha Bucks | 0 | – | 0 | University of Pretoria | Mthatha Stadium | |
| Real Kings FC | 1 | – | 1 | Witbank Spurs | King Zwelithini Stadium |
