NFD Wrap Up WK_22

Saturdays action saw Golden Arrows move 3 points clear at the top, while Jomo Cosmos and Cape Town All Stars dropped points on the road.

Garankuwa United's relegation woes continued as they welcomed table topping Arrows, Abafana Bes'thende did little to help the Garankuwa's survival course as they defeated the homeside 2-0.

Igugu Lekapa suffered a 3-1 defeat to Thanda Royal Zulu, the result saw Amabhubesi move up to 2nd, 3 points behind their KZN neighbours Abafana Bes'thende. Ezenkosi remained winless in the Cape after their third match in the province ended in a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Santos. The result sees promotion chasing Cosmos suffer their second defeat in a row.

In other results the Cape Town Derby ended all squared as Vasco Da Gama and Milano United played to their 1st draw in 6 league meetings.

In the Free State, bottom of the log Maluti FET College showed some fight as they equalised in stoppage time, holding out for a 1-1 draw against free scoring Black Leopards. Maluti currently 10 points from safety after conceding 50 goals in 22 matches.

In KZN Royal Eagles took flight after 2 defeats in a row, as they defeated the Lions of the North 2-1.

Sundays NFD action saw both away sides walking away with all 3 points, The African Beasts defeated Bakgaga while a late Warriors strike saw them walk away with the maximum against Siyavutha.

#NFD WK_22 Goal Scorers:

Garankuwa United 0-2 Golden Arrows (Andile Fikizolo, Mabhuti Khenyeza)

Thanda Royal Zulu (Menzi Hlope, Michael Gumede, Ace Bhengu) 3-1 Cape Town All Stars (Amigo Memela)

Santos (Suhayl Allie, Carl Lark ×2) 3-2 Jomo Cosmos (Nkanyiso Madonsela, Nhlakanipho Khumalo)

Maluti FET College (Tsietsi Maduna) 1-1 Black Leopards (Morgan Shivambu)

Vasco Da Gama (Stanley Muishond) 1-1 Milano United (OG-Ndiviwe Mdabuka)

Royal Eagles ( Walter Maponyane,Thabo Maselwa) 2-1 Highlands Park (Thando Mdluli)

Baroka FC 0-1 FC Cape Town (Siyabonga Madikane)

Witbank Spurs 0-1 African Warriors (Tsweu Mokoro)

Thanda Royal Zulu v CT All Stars Preview: An Epic battle awaits in the Amabhubesi den

The National First Division action heats up as All Stars travel to KZN, to face third placed Thanda Royal Zulu in a promotional ‘six’ pointer.

Thanda Royal Zulu vs Cape Town All Stars, Umhlathuze Sports Complex, Saturday 14 March, 15H30

The boys will have to remain grounded even after securing six wins in a row in the NFD, as Igugu Lekapa face an Amabhubesi side who gave coach Boebie Solomons his first defeat of the NFD season in the reverse fixture.

The reverse fixture will also be remembered for its drama as Star attacker Amigo Memela was given his marching orders after a second bookable offence, but with all these lessons in the past, Stars find themselves currently in fourth position on the log, a point behind Thanda.

Thanda only suffered one defeat at home this season but Igugu Lekapa can draw some confidence as the Richards Bay team have not managed to collect maximum points against Cape opposition in four previous league encounters.

The CT All Stars website caught up with inform goal poacher Zaid Patel to get his thoughts on the crucial encounter:
“The mood is great - we're on an unbelievable run… if we stick to our game plan we can compete with anyone at the moment…”

When asked about the contributing factors to his rich goal scoring form, the lanky striker explained:

“The belief in me from the club… being able to stay fit and not pick up injuries… and being part of a really good team in which chances are being created.”

Patel went further to give credit to fellow attacker Memela, “We can score against anyone. We have a real match winner in the form of Amigo who on his day can destroy any defense in the league.”

Stars have Patel and Memela set to take on a Thanda side who currently boast the best defence in the league. On the other side we have the league's top scorer in Ace Bhengu against Igugu Lekapa's number one shot stopper Kyle Peters.

All Stars will be at almost full strength - only Houston Hills is out injured.

Courageous Stars earn their stripes.

Cape Town All Stars 2-0 Royal Eagles
08 March 2015 - Philippi Stadium

An Amigo Memela brace was enough to see Cape Town All Stars shoot up to 4th position on the log, after a hard fought 2-0 victory against Royal Eagles, on Sunday afternoon at Philippi Stadium.

The visitors dominated the opening exchanges, with a great passing football display in and around the All Stars box, but Boebie Solomons' charges stood firm as they chose to absorb the early pressure.

A patient looking Stars attack had to wait untill the 15th minute to find their first clearcut opportunity, A Memela break on the left resulted in a cross which found the head of Zaid Patel, his effort though was directly at the keeper as the scores remained 0-0.

On the other end a Lifa Hlongwane volley received a great receiption from the Eagles supporters as his effort brushed the crossbar, but 0-0 is how the half ended, both teams with their fair share of chances.

A slow start to the second half saw coach Boebie ringing the changes, substitute Sizwe Mdlinzo proving dividends in the 78th minute as his freekick swung in with serious pace found the head of Memela who guided it into the back of the net, 1-0 to All Stars.

The goal saw Eagles take flight as they turned up the pressure on the Stars defence, after a nervy few moments in the Stars defence it was Memela on the counter, his solo effort saw him pierce through the Eagles defence then calmly slotting home in stoppage time.

The result sees Stars reclaim 4th position, 1 point behind 3rd placed Thanda Royal Zulu and 4 points from leaders Golden Arrows.

CT ALL Stars Starting XI: Peters, Gwala, Davids, Mofokeng, Stuurman, Memela, Gololo, Qambela, Sibeko, Msomi, Patel

Royal Eagles Starting XI: Tsengwa, Dube, Maponyane, Hlongwane, Meyiwa, Masinga, Komane, Maselwa, Cele, Luthuli, Ndlovu.