NFD wrap: New coaches score positive starts
With five teams going into last weekend’s National First Division (NFD) with new coaches, it was always going to be interesting to see if they could have immediate effect.
Black Leopards players celebrate a goal. (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images)
Of the five, four managed to get a positive start and will be looking to build on that going forward.
Eagles got off to a dream start under new coach Antonio Flores registering their third win of the season, beating Cape Town All Stars 1-0. Black Leopards also collected the full points for only their third time this season as they walloped Mthatha Bucks 2-0.
Mbombela United 3 (T. Patjie X 2; T. Liphoko) Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila 0
Tshidiso Patjie scored a brace while Tshepo Liphoko also netted as Tingwenyma ran rampant over a Tshakuma side who have been doing quite well. The result took Tingwenyama to second position where they are tied on 19 points with AmaTuks.
Black Leopards 2 (Musonda, Tshepe) Mthatha Bucks 0
Mwape Musonda and Karabo Tshepe were the main men for Lidoda Duvha as they scored a goal each to help the team to their third win of the season. The result was bad for Amathol’amnyama who just parted with their coach over two weeks ago.
Uthongathi 0 Highlands Park 1 (P. Shalulile)
Peter Shalulile’s solitary strike was enough for the Lions of the North to secure the full points and widen the gap at the top. Highlands are now three points ahead of Mbombela and AmaTuks who are tied on 19 points each.
Richards Bay 0 Witbank Spurs 0
A goalless draw was oddly an improve Richards Bay who have been struggling to get their season into gear. Belgian mentor Jean Luscuito will be happy to have held an in form Siyavutha side although they could have done better.
Royal Eagles 0 Real Kings 2 (N. Phewa; S. Nzimande)
Ricardo Goss made save from a penalty late in the match to keep a clean sheet as the Magic Boys walked away with the three points. Nkosingiphile Phewa scored the first goal of the match and Sphesihle Nzimande added the second later on.
University of Pretoria 0 Ubuntu Cape Town 0
Ubuntu scored a big result for the Cape side as they managed to eke out a point against a hard running and free scoring AmaTuks team. Shaun Bartlett’s side would have gone second with a win. AmaTuks now remain third with 19 points, three behind Highlands Park.
Super Eagles 1 (L. Senokoane) CT All Stars 0
The new coach effect worked for Eagles who are slowly climbing away from the relegation zone – they are now 12th on the log, five points above bottom placed Ubuntu. Igugu leKapa missed some chances and had a few efforts either saved by the keeper or hitting the woodwork. Lepele Senokoane scored the all-important goal in the first half.
Stellenbosch 2 (I. Rayners; R. Chapman) Jomo Cosmos 2 (A. Robertson (OG); S. Mkhize)
A defensive misunderstanding saw Alan Robertson head the ball into his own net early in the first half but Ryan Chapman converted a penalty to level matters before Igraam Rayners made it 2-1. But Ezenkosi were not done yet and the sensational midfielder Sicelo Mkhize made it 2-2 to help his side jump to fourth on the log. Stellenbosch’s slow decline continued as they slipped to sixth.
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