All 16-teams competing in the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League will be in action today as the league heads into the final stretch of the season.
All eyes will be in the top three tittle chasers – Acornbush United, Witbank Citylads and TS Galaxy. By coincidence, all three teams are coming to their encounters highly spirited after recording wins over the weekend.
Log leaders, Acornbush will be looking to cement their spot at the summit when they host Barberton City Stars at KaBokweni Stadium.
Read More: Acornbush are ready to rule the pitch this season
Stars are expected to approach this encounter with a caution after Acornbush embarrassed them in the first round by beating them 7-1.
Second placed, Witbank Citylads will visit wounded Phiva Young Stars at Kamhlushwa Stadium while third placed, TS Galaxy will be visiting fast improving Mphakathi Academy at Eastdene Sports Ground.
Read More: TS Galaxy faces the music
Meanwhile, the level of the players’ fitness are expected to be tested as the league is already heading into the final stretch of the season. After today’s encounters, just barely two days, all teams are expected to be back in action again on Saturday.
Today’s matches, including Saturday encounters, are expected to kick-off at 15:00.
Today’s full fixtures list:
* Mapulaneng United FC vs F.C Benfica (Thulamahashe New Stadium)
* Witbank Citylads FC vs Phiva Young Stars FC (Lynville Stadium)
* Acornbush United FC vs Barberton City Stars FC (Kabokweni Stadium)
* Secunda Stars FC vs Mlambo Royal Cubs FC (Embalenhle Stadium)
* Mphakathi Academy FC vs TS Galaxy FC (Eastdene Sports Ground)
* FC Zone Mavo vs Tjakastaad Junior Sheppards (Secunda Stadium)
* Mhluzi Black Rangers FC vs Forek Academy FC (Themba Sinamela Stadium)
* Lumoja FC vs Premier United FC (Mpumalanga Stadium)
Saturday fixtures:
* Lumoja FC vs Mapulaneng United FC (Mpumalanga Stadium)
* Premier United FC vs Mhluzi Black Rangers FC (Sandra High School Ground)
* Forek Academy FC vs FC Zone Mavo (Kanyamazane Stadium)
* Tjakastaad Junior Sheppards vs Mphakathi Academy FC (Elukwatini Stadium)
* TS Galaxy FC vs Secunda Stars FC (Vaalbank Artificial Turf Stadium)
* Mlambo Royal Cubs FC vs Acornbush United FC (Kamaqhekeza Stadium)
* Barberton City Stars FC vs Witbank Citylads FC (Barberton Prison Ground)
* Phiva Young Stars FC vs F.C Benfica (Kamhlushwa Stadium)
The Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe log standing ahead of today encounters:
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Acornbush United FC | 20 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 65 | 17 | 48 | 51 |
| 2 | Witbank Citylads FC | 21 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 43 | 23 | 20 | 39 |
| 3 | TS Galaxy FC | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 32 | 12 | 20 | 39 |
| 4 | Mapulaneng United FC | 20 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 32 | 29 | 3 | 34 |
| 5 | Mlambo Royal Cubs FC | 21 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 42 | 28 | 14 | 33 |
| 6 | Tjakastaad Junior Sheppards | 21 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 37 | 31 | 6 | 33 |
| 7 | Phiva Young Stars FC | 18 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 27 | 17 | 10 | 32 |
| 8 | Barberton City Stars FC | 20 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 29 | 30 | -1 | 27 |
| 9 | Secunda Stars FC | 21 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 17 | 25 | -8 | 26 |
| 10 | Forek Academy FC | 19 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 27 | 31 | -4 | 24 |
| 11 | FC Zone Mavo | 20 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 35 | 37 | -2 | 23 |
| 12 | Lumoja FC | 20 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 27 | 31 | -4 | 23 |
| 13 | Mphakathi Academy FC | 21 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 18 | 38 | -20 | 19 |
| 14 | Mhluzi Black Rangers FC | 21 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 22 | 32 | -10 | 17 |
| 15 | F.C Benfica | 21 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 21 | 63 | -42 | 16 |
| 16 | Premier United FC | 20 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 48 | -30 | 11 |
