Cosmos and Tshakhuma in battle for playoffs spot

Sello Chokoe’s side have their backs against the wall and should throw everything they have to secure a positive win against Ezenkosi in this match.

Madzivhandila are still licking their wounds after a 4-1 thrashing by National First Division champions-elect Highlands Park last weekend, a defeat which dented their play-offs chances.

Placed sixth with 36 points, Tshakhuma are three behind Ezenkosi who are third and can ill-afford another defeat as it would shove them further away from a spot in the play-offs.

But Ezenkosi also want the spot and with Real Kings playing to draw against Ubuntu Cape Town on Tuesday, are now in a better position to finish either second or third and will be fighting to keep the three points especially at home.

Cosmos have been in good form and have won their last two matches with big margins, beating Ubuntu 3-1 and Richards Bay 4-2 while they struggled against more organised teams losing 4-0 to Highlands and 2-0 to Mbombela in their last five games.

The wheels have somehow came off for Tshakhuma in the last five matches as they won just one and this will be their big chance to get back into contention for a play-offs place.

Highlands Park may meanwhile be confirmed as NFD champions with four matches to spare if they manage a win against struggling University of Pretoria whom they host at Makhulong Stadium this afternoon. They will however need Black Leopards – who are the only team with a mathematical chance of catching up with them – to draw or lose. Leopards are at home against relegation threatened Uthongathi also this afternoon.

Owen Da Gama’s side have gone on a 19-match unbeaten run and based on form should have no problems sailing past Shaun Bartlett’s young side.

At the bottom, it will get interesting as four teams in the relegation zone play each other. Super Eagles will look to use home ground advantage when they host Ubuntu while bottom placed Mthatha Bucks host Richards Bay.

Fixtures:

Saturday: Stellenbosch v Royal Eagles; Black Leopards v Uthongathi; Highlands Park v University of Pretoria; Real Kings v Mbombela; Super Eagles v Ubuntu CT

Sunday: CT All Stars v Witbank Spurs; Mthatha Bucks v Richards Bay; Jomo Cosmos v Tshakhuma