Mphakathi Academy yield to City Stars
They are on track to becoming the title contenders this season.
Newly promoted Mphakathi Academy’s woes in the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League continued when they went down 0-1 against Barberton City Stars in a match held at Barberton High School’s ground on Saturday.
A solitary strike by Elias Nyakane late in the first half ensured that Mphakathi Academy recorded their second defeat of the season.
Academy, which were promoted to the provincial league via the boardroom, have not yet tasted victory in the provincial league.
In their first match they went down 1-5 to Phiva Young Stars.
Mbuso Ndlovu, Academy head coach, says their main goal this season is to keep their current standing.
“We are new in this league. What is important is for the boys to remain calm and retain their status, and then next season we will compete,” said Ndlovu.
Ingucungucu, as Stars are affectionately known in the football circles, are not yet to taste defeat this season.
For a side that was relegated last season to the SAB Regional League and have to buy their way back to the ABC Motsepe League Stars, seem to have started the season on a high note.
They are on track to becoming the title contenders this season.
Stars played Saturday’s game against Academy without head coach Lollipop Phuti, who has since been appointed as coach for the National First Division campaigning side, Cape Town All Stars. Phuti will replace Patrick Mabedi on the Cape Town-based side.
In charge of Stars as co-taker coaches are Alex Marimo and Patrick “Bazooka” Phiri.
Marimo said he was impressed by his side’s performance, though there was much they still needed to work on.
“The boys were perfect and can compete. In the first half they were perfect, but we allowed our opponent back into the game in the second half. That is what we still have to work on,” he said.
This Saturday, Barberton City Stars will visit Secunda Stars at Embalehle Stadium while Academy will host Mlambo Royal Cubs at Kees Taljaard Stadium.
Both matches will kick off at 15:00.
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More weekend results:
Tjakastad Junior Sheppards 0-2 Lumoja; Forek Academy 3-2 Premier United; Witbank Citylads 0-0 Mapulaneng United; Benfica 1-4 Acornbush United FC; Phiva Young Stars FC 1-0 Secunda Stars FC; TS Galaxy 1-1 Mhluzi Black Rangers.
Full fixtures for today, Saturday October :
Mhluzi Black Rangers vs Tjakastad Junior Sheppards (Kees Taljaard Stadium at 13:00); Mphakathi Academy FC vs Mlambo Royal Cubs (Kees Taljaard at 15:00); Mapulaneng United FC vs Premier United (Thulamahashe New Stadium); Lumoja vs Forek Academy (Mpumalanga); Secunda Stars FC vs Barberton City Stars FC (Embalenhle) Acornbush United vs Phiva Young Stars (KaBokweni); Witbank Citylads vs F.C Benfica (Lynville Stadium).
