NFD wrap: Magic Boys flirting with relegation, coaching change looms

It took Siphiwe Mbatha’s brilliance to twice save Real Kings from an embarrassing home defeat but the 2-2 draw didn’t do much for the KwaZulu-Natal based side who remain in the wrong end of the National First Division (NFD) with nine games to go.

The Magic Boys have lost their spark this season and are bottom of the standings with 19 points collected so far and Phakaaathi has heard some rumours that there might be a change in the technical team soon should things remain unchanged.

A Phakaaathi source claimed that current coach Simo Dladla could be redeployed with Mlungisi Ngubane tasked with saving the side from relegation in the coming games.

“He (Dladla) has been given enough time but he hasn’t changed thing and that has not sat well with management who have done everything possible to support him. I heard there might be changes soon as relegation has now become a reality if nothing is done,” said the source.

The one point earned away was not much for Maccabi but Joel Masutha will be happy as it keeps him with a chance of finishing in the top eight with no relegation worries. Collins Mbesuma opened the scoring, but Mbatha cancelled his goal out before half time.

Moreki Senwamadi thought he had handed the visitors the full points when he put Maccabi ahead for the second time but they could not hold on for the win and Mbatha equalised again, grabbing himself a brace in the process.

Other results

Cape Umoya 1 (S. Senne) Tshakhuma 1 (C. Nyadombo)
Played in Cape Town on Friday afternoon, the Spirited Ones were looking to keep their winning streak – which has seen them becoming only the second team with TS Galaxy remaining in the Nedbank Cup – going but it was not to be. Sipho Senne scored for the home side and captain, Carlington Nyadombo cancelled that goal for Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.

Witbank Spurs 1 (K. Zwane) Richards Bay 1 (J. Sait)
Shakes Mashaba will have to be happy with securing a point against one of the division’s form teams although he will fell they could have went on and won the match and got the three valuable points. The one point does nothing for Siyavutha’s course who remain third from bottom and above Ubuntu Cape Town on on goal difference. Khethukuthula Zwane opened the scoring but defender Junaid Sait equalised for the visitors to ensure a share of the spols.

Stellenbosch 2 (J. Moroole; A. Robertson) TS Sporting 0
Stelleies train kept going and ensured that their eight points lead at the top of the NFD standings remains uninterrupted beating a hapless Abantu Bemthetho 2-0. Jarod Moroole and Alan Robertson were the heroes on the day for Stellies who now look a credible bet for the NFD championship and automatic promotion to the Absa Premiership.

Uthongathi 2 (C. Jampies; F. Baloyi) Royal Eagles 1 (P. Cele)
Captain Philani Cele again lead from the front for Eagles when he opened the scoring as the visitors tried to keep their impressive winning run going but it was not to be as Cheslyn Jampies and Francis Baloyi scored to ensure the home side keeps the three points which keeps them within the hunting pack for the promotion play-offs places.

Ubuntu CT 0 Mbombela United 1 (K. Nkhatha)
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Kingston Nkhatha made his presence felt as he helped Tingwenyama to an important win away at strugglers Ubuntu. The three points ensured Tingwenyma go back to second, eight points behind the leaders Stellies. Ubuntu remain second from bottom after Real Kings were also beaten.

Jomo Cosmos 0 TS Galaxy 1 (Z. Lephasa)
The Rockets made it two in a row over Ezenkosi with another 1-0 win which follows just a week after a similar result in a Nedbank Cup tie over a week ago. Zakhele Lephasa was the hero with his goal after Dan Malesela’s side missed a couple of easy chances that could have made the score a little embarrassing for Jomo Sono.

University of Pretoria 3 (C. Almedia; K. Monama; L. Gallardo) Ajax CT 0
AmaTuks got on back into the horse immediately after falling as they beat the Urban Warriors 3-0 at home, two weeks after they suffered an embarrassing 5-0 defeat away to Royal Kings.
Cladio de Almedia, Kgodiso Monama and Lugiani Gallardo scored for the home side to ensure they keep withing the chasing pack and avoid dropping into the relegation places. It was Ajax’s first defeat since their new coach, Andires Ulderlink took over after Muhsin Ertugral resigned.

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