19 April 2018 – As the SAFA ABC Motsepe League edges closer to the national play offs, clubs are going all out to secure a place to stand a chance to qualify for the National First Division.
With just a few rounds of fixtures remaining, the coming weekend will be a tense affair for all title contenders, who will be desperate for play-off spots.
In the Free State, the race seems to be firmly between log leaders Mangaung Unite and second placed Bloemfontein Young Tigers. Unite have a tricky away clash against DLA2 this coming Saturday at Phuthaditjhaba Stadium. The away team know how close they are to clinching the title and cannot afford any slip-ups.
Tigers will also be without home advantage when they tackle Days FC at Zuka Baloyi Stadium. The away team have been extremely consistent this season and have only lost one game more than Unite. Whichever team blinks first will likely be the one missing out on possible NFD action come next season.
North West province seems to be more cut and dried when it comes to title and relegation battles.
Buya Msuthu is comfortably ahead of the chasing pack and will have the support of their home fans this Friday when they entertain Phatsima All Stars at Mogwase Stadium. With a compact back four – having only conceded 12 goals all campaign, their defensive wall will be extremely hard to breach.
The Western Cape edition is also reaching boiling point with Steenberg United FC’s brilliant form and hard work in recent weeks paying off. Four wins in their last five fixtures have catapulted them all the way to the summit. However, The Magic is hot on their heels and United require 2 points from their final two matches to secure the title. Their game against Ajax Cape Town Youth on Friday could wrap up proceedings.
The Gauteng stream will see fans witness a finale for the ages with only two teams in the hunt for that all important title and play-off spot. JDR Stars and Maccabi FC have a tense couple of weeks coming up as they both aim to go all out for glory.
After 28 rounds of action, Stars are in the ascendency with 60 points (with a goal difference of 18) while Maccabi are a mere 2 points behind but with a far superior goal difference (28). With only two weekends of football remaining, literally anything can happen.
This upcoming weekend will see Stars in front of their own fans as they host Baberwa FC at the Pilditch Stadium while Maccabi travel to Dondol Stars’ Pretoria West Campus in what should be a war of attrition. The stakes could not be higher in the Gauteng ABC League.