The teams that will gain automatic promotion into the National First Division (NFD) from the ABC Motsepe League will only be decided on Friday, 24 July 2015.

The tournament is currently underway in Kimberly in the Northern Cape, and ends on Sunday, 26 July with the final at the De Beers Stadium.

Both groups are almost evenly matched – with seven still in with a chance of winning the group.

But there is no such luck for Roses United and Milford FC in Group A as they have been knocked out.

In their final match, Roses United lost 2-1 to Glendene United after the latter had taken a 2-0 lead in the second half. A late rally by Roses saw them pull one back but it was not enough. Marcelino Johnson scored a brace for Glendene with Roses’ goal coming from Dominic Mateba.

Mbombela United made their intentions clear as early as the 10th minute with a goal by Sikhethele Mabuza before Inky Masuku increased the lead from the penalty spot six minutes before the break.

Milford came back rejuvenated, hit the crossbar twice and were rewarded with a goal in the 54th minute by Cebolenkosi Dlamini. In the 80th minute however Bheki Maliba put the nail in the coffin when he scored Mbombela’s third to give his side a 3-1 victory.

In their clash, North West Shining Stars scored the fastest goal of the tournament in the third minute through Mthokozisi Nkabinde, but they could not hold on to the lead as Mphseboshebo Magano of Magesi FC levelled matters a minute before the break – and that’s how it ended, 1-all.

Hungry Lions and Mthatha enjoyed a seven-goal thriller.

Moses Spandeel took his tally to four goals – and top goal scorer so far – when he went on the scoresheet for Lions, and Jurie Basie made it 2-nil in the 25th minute. The home side surrendered their lead easily when Themba Dlamini and Welcome Qalanto scored in quick succession – 32nd and 34th minutes respectively, before Bucks grabbed the third through Ayand Luna at the stroke of half time.

Basie netted his second of the day in the 72nd minute, but with their never-say-die spirit Bucks struck the killer blow three minutes from time to win 4-3 – Qalanto the destroyer in chief with his second of the day.

Mbombela is top of Group A with seven points, just one adrift of African All Stars and Glendene United – with one match to go each – while Roses have completed the playoffs and amassed four points from four matches. Bottom of the table Milford FC have not been able to pick up any points but have one match in hand.

In Group B, Magesi leads the pack with four points, followed by Hungry Lions who are tied on three points each with Mthatha Bucks, while North West Shining Stars have only one point – all four teams are left with one match each.

What makes Day 5 even more exciting is that number one in each group plays number two.

At midday Mbombela United will face All Stars at De Beers Stadium, while at the same time Milford will be up against Glendene United at the Galeshewe Stadium.

Two and half hours (14h30) later Group B will be decided when Shining Stars locks horns with Mthatha Bucks at Galeshewe Stadium, with Magesi FC playing against Lions at De Beers Stadium.

NB:

– The top team in each group shall qualify for promotion to the National First Division (NFD) and also the finals to determine the national champion
– The Group winner will be determined by the team with the number of points. If two teams end with the same number of points, the Group winner will be determined by the goal difference, and thereafter by the highest number of goals. If it is still tied after the goal tally, the group winner shall be determined by a once-off match which shall be decided on penalties if the score is still tied after ninety (90) minutes.

DAY 4 RESULTS AND STATS: