13 March 2020 – The South African Football Association’s exciting ABC Motsepe League is reaching boiling point across the nation as teams jostle for positions, title honours and also attempt to stave off relegation.
In spite of a few Coronavirus scares, it will be business as usual across the nine provinces with one particular league catching the eye. The Northern Cape edition is proving to the most competitive of the lot, particularly at the top, with a few teams all still in the running for a shot at National First Division (NFD) promotion.
This coming weekend will see all 16 clubs in action with eight key fixtures taking place on Saturday, 14 March, at various stadiums around the province.
Fourth placed N.C. Liverpool collide with Colville United at AR Abass Stadium at 15h00 in the first fixture of the day, with the home team still in the running for title glory. Three points is non-negotiable while their opponents will be looking to climb in to the top half of the table.
Maruping United FC, who sit in a precarious 13th position, then welcome second placed NC Professionals FC to the Maruping Ground. Kick-off for this one is also at 15h00. It will a tricky encounter for both teams with one looking to stave off relegation and the other vying for top spot.
Magareng Young Stars FC then entertain Rasta Fa Eagles FC (15h00) at their Warrenton High School base. Eagles sit in fifth and are still well in contention for a coveted top four spot while their rivals will be desperate to climb out of 14th place and towards safety.
The mighty Tornado FC will then travel to the Buchlaros Stadium to take on hosts and last placed Kuruman Kicks in what should be a tense encounter, with the home club hoping for only their fourth win of the campaign. Both teams are coming off losses from the previous weekend and positive result would be welcomed. Proceedings are also scheduled for an afternoon 15h00 kick-off.
Khumalo Chiefs, who suffered an 8-0 drubbing last weekend at the hands of leaders Hungry Lions, will then welcome Tsantsabane Stars to the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium at 15h00. Both teams sit in the bottom half of the log and the respective coaches are under pressure to produce something positive for their adoring fans.
Langverwaght Stadium will then play host to an intriguing match between third placed Kakamas Sundowns and traditionally strong United Rovers (15h00). The home team should enjoy a packed house as they take aim at second spot. They are a point adrift from NC Professionals having played the same number of games.
The first of two late kick-offs will see Mainstay United hosting the gutsy Olifantshoek Young Stars FC at Dicky Jacobs. Kick-off for this one is at 17h00. Both teams have negative goal differences and have been leaky at the back which will be the key concern for the respective technical teams. A point will be seen as the minimum requirement in this encounter.
Langverwaght will then host the day’s final game under lights (17h00) as trailblazers and unbeaten leaders Hungry Lions FC take on hosts Kakamas Juventus as they look to extend their lead at the top. They are currently four points ahead of Professionals with a game in hand. It should prove a bridge too far for the hosts, who sit in ninth.
Click here for the latest logs, results and fixtures in the Northern Cape ABC Motsepe League.