Mbombela United and TS Sporting return to GladAfrica Championship action
Both teams will be aiming to improve their log positions during a tightly congested match schedule
Lowveld-based soccer teams, Mbombela United and TS Sporting will return to action after a five-month break from the GladAfrica Championship.
TS Sporting will face Richards Bay at Tuks Stadium on Sunday, while United’s return fixture will be versus Cape Umoya United at UJ Soweto Campus on Wednesday.
No fans will be allowed to attend PSL or GladAfrica matches. Team officials, match officials, medical personnel and broadcast and print media will be allowed.
United will utilise UJ Soweto Campus Stadium as their temporary “home” ground.
PSL and GladAfrica teams have been entering their bio-bubbles in Gauteng and will remain there until the conclusion of all remaining league matches.
TS Sporting will use Tsakane Stadium in Brakpan for their “home” games.
They are 13th on the GladAfrica log table. With only five wins from 23 matches, it has been a disappointing season for Abantu Bemthetho.
“We are looking to finish eighth to 10th as we were well before lockdown level 5 in March. The team were able to qualify for the last eight of the Nedbank Cup and we are confident we will do better in the last seven games,” said Vusi Ntimane of TS Sporting.
Despite the inactivity due to lockdown and only returning to the practice field a little more than a month ago, TS Sporting are confident about the fixture-congested four weeks that lie ahead.
“No one has injuries. We have enough players to finish the last seven games. We had five weeks of training that are enough for the players. We have a highly qualified physio who will make sure players are managed well during the camp,” said Ntimane.
Mbombela United are 14th, or third last, on the log table.
Tingwenyama have lost 12 of their 24 matches thus far. Only bottom-of-the-table Royal Eagles have lost more games. The KaNyamazane lads will have their backs against the wall and will have to to improve drastically on their pre-Covid-19 performances.
It is not yet clear if relegation will be relevant to the bottom two GladAfrica teams once all fixtures are completed.
South African Football Association CEO, Tebogo Motlanthe said amateur football will not resume until level 1 lockdown.
Therefore the ABC Motsepe leagues might only resume late in the year, or not at all.
With the Premiership and National First Division already set to commence the 2020/21 season late, the ABC Motsepe leagues might be declared concluded, or null and void. This will determine of the bottom two NFD teams are demoted.
