Acornbush United opened a 12-point gap at the top of the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League after demolishing FC Benfica 8-1 in an encounter that was held at KaBokweni Stadium on Saturday.
Inconsistency closest rivals, TS Galaxy, Witbank Citylads and Mlambo Royal Cubs, can now only hope for miracles to topple Acornbush at the summit of the provincial league.
This after all the three teams failed to collect maximum points over the weekend to be able to keep in touch with the league front runners.
Citylads, who handed Acornbush their first defeat of the season when they beat them 3-0 at Lynville Stadium a week ago, succumbed 4-1 to Mapulaneng United in a match that was held at Thulamahashe New Stadium.
The defeat for Citylads allowed Galaxy, who were held to a goalless-draw by Mhluzi Black Rangers at Themba Senamela Stadium, to move to second place.
Mlambo Royal Cubs chances of challenging for the honours were condemned by FC Zone Mavo, who beat them 1-0 at Kinross SASOL Community Centre.
Weekend full results:
Mapulaneng United 4-1 Witbank Citylads; Acornbush United 8-1 FC Benfica; Secunda Stars 2-0 Phiva Young Stars; Mphakathi Academy 0-0 Barberton City Stars; FC Zone Mavo 1-0 Mlambo Royal Cubs; Mhluzi Black Rangers 0-0 TS Galaxy; Premier United 1-0 Forek Academy.
The Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League correct as of Tuesday, February 14
| ABC Motsepe League 16/17 2016 – 2017 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mpumalanga | |||||||||
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Acornbush United FC | 19 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 63 | 16 | 47 | 48 |
| 2 | TS Galaxy FC | 19 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 30 | 11 | 19 | 36 |
| 3 | Witbank Citylads FC | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 40 | 23 | 17 | 36 |
| 4 | Mlambo Royal Cubs FC | 20 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 41 | 26 | 15 | 33 |
| 5 | Mapulaneng United FC | 19 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 30 | 27 | 3 | 33 |
| 6 | Phiva Young Stars FC | 17 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 26 | 15 | 11 | 32 |
| 7 | Tjakastaad Junior Sheppards | 20 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 30 |
| 8 | Secunda Stars FC | 20 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 17 | 23 | -6 | 26 |
| 9 | Barberton City Stars FC | 19 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 27 | 30 | -3 | 24 |
| 10 | FC Zone Mavo | 19 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 34 | 35 | -1 | 23 |
| 11 | Lumoja FC | 19 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 27 | 29 | -2 | 23 |
| 12 | Forek Academy FC | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 25 | 31 | -6 | 21 |
| 13 | Mhluzi Black Rangers FC | 20 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 21 | 29 | -8 | 17 |
| 14 | Mphakathi Academy FC | 20 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 37 | -21 | 16 |
| 15 | F.C Benfica | 20 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 21 | 60 | -39 | 16 |
| 16 | Premier United FC | 19 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 16 | 46 | -30 | 10 |
