An avalanche of goals on Day 3 of the 2017 ABC Motsepe National Play Offs saw fans in attendance at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane enjoy some exciting football on display.
The Play Offs kicked off on Monday (5 May 2017) where nine provincial winners are vying for the two National First Division (NFD) spots available for the 2017/2018 season.
Hosts EC Bees were the first on the field on Wednesday, 7 June 2017 and they sprang a surprise on KwaZulu Natal side Uthongathi with a 1-0 victory.
Backed by a large crowd of supporters from Mdantsane, the home side took the lead in the fifth minute through Mxolisi Slawula and held on until the final whistle.
Western Cape’s ZIzwe United became the biggest scorers when they trounced Mainstay United 5-0 to make clear their intentions of promotion. Four goals by Mpho Erasmus and one from Banele Buyeye saw the Northern Cape side suffer the worst defeat of the tournament to date, and catapulted Erasmus to top goal scorer of the tournament with goals in the 27th, 72nd, 87th and 90+1 minutes.
United were the first to score in the fourth minute – the fastest goal in the play-offs so far.
After one round played in Group B, Zizwe top the log standings with three points, level with Uthongathi who have an inferior goal difference.
In Group A, it was drama galore in the clash between Gauteng’s Maccabi FC who lost 2-1 to Super Eagles.
T.Selepe’s last gasp goal in referee’s optional won it for Eagles when the match seemed to be heading for a draw.
M.Mofokeng had put Maccabi in the lead in the 24th minute before N. Sibeko cancelled the lead in the 90th minute.
In the fourth and last match of the day, Acornbush fired to the top of Group A after putting Limpopo outfit, The Dolphins, to the sword with a convincing 3-0 win that saw them register seven points after three matches and almost guaranteed them a semi-final spot.
Buya Msuthu and Super Eagles are tied on four points each in second place – both have a game in hand.
Maccabi is in fourth place with one point while The Dolphins are bottom of the table and still to register a point.
On Day 4 (Thursday, 8 June) EC Bees and Mainstay United will try to redeem themselves when they go toe to toe in the second matches of Group B – both lost their opening matches. Kick-off is at 09h00.
Zizwe United and Uthongathi will be trying to cement their positions in the group when they meet in the next match at 11h00.
In Group A, victory for Acornbush against Buya Msuthu will push them to 10 points – they face each other at 13h00, and neither has lost in the tournament so far.
The Dolphins will lock horns with Super Eagles in the last match of the day at 15h00.
All four matches will be played at Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
Day 4 Fixtures – Sisa Dukashe Stadium:
Thursday, 8 June 2017
EC Bees vs Mainstay United – 09h00
Zizwe vs Uthongathi – 11h00
Acornbush vs Buya Msuthu – 13h00
Dolphins vs Super Eagles – 15h00
BYE Maccabi