Publications
Partners
With Highlands Park daring everyone to catch them if they can as they march towards the National First Division (NFD) finish line, the race is now for the promotional play-offs spots.
Eight sides can still qualify for the two play-off spots, with ninth-placed University of Pretoria still in with a chance.
AmaTuks are five points behind third-placed Real Kings and, starting from this afternoon, they should be fighting to close that gap.
Shaun Bartlett’s team visit Richards Bay, who are fighting for their NFD status survival.
The hosts were second from the bottom before this weekend’s round of matches and know that they will need to win as many matches as possible to ensure their survival.
AmaTuks also know that their fate is in their own hands as they have to start winning to improve their chances of competing in the play-offs.
With only two spots reserved for NFD sides, it will be the survival of the fittest in the remaining eight games as most contenders will have to cancel one another out.
Eighth-placed Stellenbosch will be hoping to use Real Kings as their ladder in their pursuit of a top-three spot when the two sides meet at Athlone this afternoon.
Kings are fifth on the log, and only five points separate the two. A defeat for Kings will open doors for other sides to close the gap going into the final stretch.
Black Leopards, who have clawed their way back into play-off contention, will fancy their chances when they host Super Eagles in front of their home supporters at Thohoyandou Stadium.
After dropping two points away against Mthatha Bucks last weekend, Leopards will want to get back to winning ways to put pressure on those above them.
Eagles will be playing to maintain their status in the league and ensure survival.
Jomo Cosmos will be in action at Mbombela Stadium, where they visit Mbombela United.
Ezenkosi, who are three points behind second-placed Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, recovered from their heavy loss to Highlands Park to register a morale-boosting victory over Stellenbosch last weekend.
Cosmos boss Jomo Sono has already conceded that the title chase is over and has now shifted his focus to the play-offs spot.
Mbombela might already be out of contention, but they will not go down without a fight, particularly at home.
The remaining eight games should be interesting both at the top and bottom.
Any slip-up will mean dropping places on the table and no one can afford to do that.
