NFD wrap: Great start for Dikgacoi as Eagles beat log leaders

Dikgacoi has been installed as coach while Roger Sikhakhane recovers in hospital from an undisclosed illness and seems to have changed things around quite well after Eagles’ static start to the season.

“It’s been tough without the coach on the bench. But we constantly chat and share ideas. We have the best squad this season. But we will have to be patient and take each game as it comes and see where we end up,” he said.

Captain Philani Cele – who has been converted from a midfielder to central defender by Digacoi – headed the winner late into the match to ensure the home side keep the full points and move up to 11th on the standings.

“We are excited. I am happy for the team,” said Dikgacoi after the match. “It was not an easy game and we struggled in the first half. The two changes we made at half time did the trick and I believe we deserved the three points today. We sent in the ball players in (Simphiwe) Tshabalala and Levy (Mashiane) and told them to express themselves and get us a goal,” said the former Golden Arrows and Bafana Bafana midfielder.

TS Galaxy, meanwhile, finally got the monkey off their back when they registered their first win by beating Mpumalanga neighbours Witbank Spurs 2-0 at Kameelrivier Stadium in KwaNdebele on Sunday. The Rockets opened the scoring 14 minutes into the match when Nyembezi Setelele converted from the penalty spot. Sakhele Nhlabathi made it 2-0 with a few seconds to the end.

“We made life difficult for ourselves,” said Galaxy coach Daniel “Dance” Malesela. “We should have scored the second goal much earlier in the game to get some cushion. The longer it stays at 1-0 the more frustrated and desperate you get and mistakes creep in. But I am happy that we have the three points and that we have a clean sheet.

“This is something to work on but there is still a lot to be done. Dominating without goals means nothing. It’s frustrating because sometimes you end up losing or drawing a match you could have easily won,” said Malesela.

Other results

Cape Umoya United 1 (L. Koapeng) Mbombela United 0
The Spirited Ones clocked their second win of the season and it came against on-form Mbombela United at Cape Town Stadium on Friday afternoon. Letsie Koapeng was the hero for Roger De Sa’s team as he netted the winner which ended the Tingwenyama’s unbeaten.

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 0 Jomo Cosmos 0
Ezenkosi extended their unbeaten run to three games and they will be happy with the point they earned away at log leaders. Playing under extreme heat condition at Thohoyandou Stadium Ezenkosi held their own and fought hard to earn the point which sees them break into the top eight.

Royal Eagles 1 (P. Cele) Uthongathi 0
It was left to captain Philani Cele to hand his team the full points at home – their second consecutive win. It was the Cane Cutters’ first defeat this season and it left a bitter taste in coach Johnny Fereirra’s mouth as he felt his team didn’t follow the instructions on the day.

TS Sporting 1 (D. Chauke) Ubuntu Cape Town 0
Benson Mhlongo’s Abantu Bemthetho are growing with each game and they recorded a second consecutive win which took them to third on the log with 11 points. Decide Chauke netted the winner for Sporting at Kabokweni Stadium. Ubuntu remain second from bottom with just one point after six games.

Stellenbosch 2 (I. Rayners x2) Real Kings
Stellies finally broke their duck at their new venue as they beat a hapless Real Kings 2-0 at Idas Valley. Iqraam Rayners was the hero for Steve Barker’s side with a brace. Kings remain winless and at the bottom of the standings after six matches.

University Of Pretoria 0 Maccabi 0
It was a good result away for Maccabi who lost their two games prior to this one at Tuks Stadium. The point will prove valuable for Mokete Tsotetsi’s side.

TS Galaxy 2 (N. Stelele; S. Nhlabathi) Witbank Spurs 0
Dan Malesela had the right formula to ensure Siyavutha do not burn his side as they beat them 2-0 to register their first win. Nyembezi Stelele and Sakhele Nhlabathi scored the goals for the Rockets.

Richards Bay 1 (S. Mthethwa) Ajax Cape Town 0
Maybe Muhsin Ertugral spoke too soon when he suggested that the NFD is not as difficult as he had been told. His side have lost two games in a row bringing an end their promising start. Sandile Mthethwa was the hero for the Natal Rich Boyz as he netted the winner.

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