7 February 2018 – The Gauteng stream of the SAFA ABC Motsepe League continued this past weekend with some scintillating action across the province.

Friday evening saw Alexandra United gaining a vital three points away to African All Stars FC to maintain second spot and keep the pressure on log leaders Maccabi FC with a 0-1 win at Tsakane Stadium.

Saturday’s mid-day matches kept up the intensity as M Tigers FC and Baberwa FC fought out a 1-1 draw at Chloorkop in a mid-table clash, while Tembisa Sports Centre narrowly edged Ga-Rankuwa United 1-0 at Scongweni. United threw everything at the home side but still languish at the bottom of the table and look to be serious relegation candidates. United now sit with a -26 goal difference while Tembisa crawled further up the table towards safety and into 14th position.

Afternoon action saw pace-setters Maccabi showing their true metal in Springs with a hard-fought, entertaining 2-3 victory at Valencia FC to cement their number spot for at least another week. With 32 goals to their name and having only conceded 11, they remain the best strike-force as well as defensive unit in the league thus far.

George Thabe Stadium played host to Vaal Professionals and Pretoria Callies as the home side came away with a crucial 1-0 win while Alexandra Black Aces FC welcomed Dube Continental FC to the Greek Sports Club. Both teams truly put on a show with Aces finally showing some potency in front of goal to claim an important 2-1 win and climb up the table.

The afternoon’s final fixture had Dondol Stars comfortably beating home team Leruma United in Daveyton to enter the top four and condemn United to 15th spot.

Saturday evening was set up for a tantalising ‘top 6’ clash between hosts JDR Stars and Swallows FC at Pilditch Stadium as the home club hoped to keep up the pressure on the top two teams. The fixture simply did not disappoint and eventually ended in a 1-1 draw which both coaches would probably have taken before kick-off.

The second half of the season simply seems to be getting better as we enter the business end of proceedings. Can Maccabi maintain their top spot or will teams such as Alexandra United hunt them down? Only time will tell as we look forward to the next round of fixtures.