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With the top five National First Division teams still having to square up, Daniel Mothowagae picks the fixtures that will determine the race for promotion
Highlands Park vs Witbank Spurs
April 9 at Makhulong Stadium
With just a single league defeat from their 11 matches at home, Highlands have proved to be difficult to crack at their fortress, the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa.
They are the only side that has yet to lose to any of the other sides in the top five. However, this fixture, on Saturday, should determine which of the sides is the rightful owner of the second spot on the log.
The two sides are tied on 45 points, with Highlands occupying second by virtue of a better goal difference of +18 to Spurs’ +9. They played to a goalless draw in the first round.
Mbombela United vs Baroka FC
April 10: at KaNyamazane Stadium
Log leaders Baroka face arguably their biggest test against an Mbombela side that also still has to meet other title contenders, in Spurs and Milano United, next month.
Mbombela – who were promoted to the National First Division (NFD) this season – are unbeaten in 13 league outings. They have suffered just a single defeat – to African Warriors in September – in 11 league fixtures at home so far this season.
Though Baroka won the first-round clash
1-0 in Polokwane in August, they could meet their match in Mbombela on Sunday.
Witbank Spurs vs Mbombela United
April 16 : at Puma Rug by Stadium
Mbombela are the dark horses among the contenders for promotion, with a five-point difference between them and the promotional play-off spots (second and third on the NFD log). However, the odds favour Spurs, who won the Mpumalanga derby 1-0 in their first-round encounter in September.
Highlands Park vs Milano United
April 23 : at Makhulong Stadium
Highlands won the first-round fixture 2-0 in Cape Town, but the tables could turn in Ekurhuleni next month. Although Milano have only beaten Royal Eagles in the top-five bracket, “Eezy My Kinnes” – as the Cape side is known to its followers – should not be underestimated if their impressive run away from home is anything to go by. Milano are the other dark horses in the race for promotion.
Milano United vs Mbombela United
April 30 : at Athlone Stadium
This game would test Mbombela’s unbeaten record against coastal sides. Out of their six outings on the coast, the Mpumalanga-based club has collected 12 points out of a possible 18 against Cape Town and Durban-based sides combined. Mbombela beat Milano 1-0 in the first round in October.
Royal Eagles vs Baroka FC
April 30 : at Harry Gwala Stadium
Eagles remain the only side to have put two past Baroka and still came away with a point in Polokwane following a 2-2 draw in October.
Baroka FC vs Witbank Spurs
May 1 : at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
If there is anything special about this fixture, it would be a game to settle old scores between the two sides. Spurs gave Baroka a
3-1 hiding in their first-round meeting, ending the Limpopo side’s eight-match unbeaten run.
Witbank Spurs vs Royal Eagles
May 15: at Puma Rugby Stadium
Spurs have transformed from relegation candidates last season to being title contenders in this campaign. Let’s hope there will be everything to play for when this fixture comes in May.
Eagles won the first round 3-0.
Baroka FC vs Milano United
May 22 : at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
This being Baroka’s last fixture of the season, it could be the moment to savour for Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele in front of their home fans in Polokwane – that is if Baroka are crowned champions on the day. Baroka came away with a 1-0 victory in Cape Town in their previous match against Milano.
