19 October 2018 – Even with National First Division (NFD) dreams still a long way off, the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League gets serious this coming weekend, as teams at both ends of the table look to gain some much-needed points.
The action gets underway on Friday evening when Baberwa FC host M.Tigers FC at Eldorado Stadium. The home team remain unbeaten and have accumulated 14 points from their first six matches for second spot. A win will take them to the summit with the log leaders only in action the following day.
Saturday will see key fixtures taking place, the first of which sees Pretoria Callies entertain Dondol Stars at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane. Kick-off is at 15h00.
African All Stars FC then travel to Leruma United’s Sinaba Stadium with both teams already fighting relegation, sitting in 14th and 15th spot respectively. Anything less than three points will be deemed a failure by both sides.
XI Experience FC then tackle the might of Pele Pele FC at Kwa-Thema Stadium while Alexandra United play host to Alexandra Back Aces FC in what should prove to be a tense derby encounter at Hattingh Park.
United are log leaders with five wins from six and a total of 16 points but Aces will be hoping to spoil the party having recently signed former Umthatha Bucks defender Gift Sithole to stabilise the central defence of the Gold City Giants.
The day’s action then concludes with a 7pm kick-off between Vaal Professionals and Dube Continental FC at Isak Steyl Stadium. The away club are only five points adrift of the pace-setters in fifth spot. Professionals though will be looking to climb out of the danger zone with a much-improved performance and attach some intensity as well as some much-needed consistency to their game.
Sunday’s first of two fixtures sees Tembisa Sports Centre taking on JDR Stars at Esiqongweni Ground at 15h00. Both teams find themselves hovering around mid-table and three points will be most welcome for either club.
The weekend then concludes with bottom club FC Ma-Lions hoping to get the better off third placed Swallows FC at Lucas Moripe. Both teams will be desperate for points for different reasons, as the stakes get higher and higher in the Gauteng stream.