WeeklySA_AdminINDUCTION YEAR: Thrills and spills in the First Division now a three-horse race to the finishing line
By Masoja Cele
At the end the R3-million first prize will go to one team, in this case it will be either Cape Town Spurs, Casric Stars and Polokwane City, when the Motsepe Foundation Championship winds up this Sunday.
The much anticipated final round of the championship would be played simultaneously, wrapping up what was an enthralling spectacle with its fair share of thrills and spills. Already two Limpopo outfits Black Leopards and Tshakuma Tsha Madzihvandila have been confirmed as relegated brands to the lower ABC Motsepe League.
The solace is that of the three top teams the two that fail to clinch the championship still have an opportunity to play in national play-off paired with a DStv Premiership team that would finish on position fifteen on the log ( TTM in this case).
Come Sunday the spotlight falls firmly on the three teams vying for automatic promotion to the DStv Premiership.
Here’s how they line-up;
- Cape Town Spurs play their final match against University of Pretoria FC at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
- Casric Stars who are breathing heavily behind Spurs will have a tough encounter against the inform All Stars at Tsakane Stadium in Brakpan.
- Third-placed Polokwane City will want to prove that nothing is way impossible in football. “Rise and Shine”, as Polokwane City are known, once led the championship race for many moons but staggered along the way.
City must win against Pretoria Callies and pray that Spurs and Stars lose on Sunday. Spurs are on the summit of the table with 56 fifty six points before this match followed by Casric on 55 and City with 54 points.
Based on their consistency form the log leaders are fancied to win against Tuks who seems to have lost their sting.
However, the Urban Warriors gaffer Shaun Bartlett will take nothing for granted. The former Spurs and Bafana Bafana prolific striker would know better, he was at the helm when Lamontville Golden Arrows won their way back to the DStv Premiership three years back.
Bartlett would definitely guard against complacency and dreary. He will command his troops to be ruthless as he was in his prime. The Parrow side will hope that their vociferous supporters would rally behind the team from the first whistle until the ‘’Fat Lady Sings’’.
In-form Orlando Pirates loanee Boitumelo Radiopane, Ashley Cupido former SuperSport United defender Clayton Daniels and ex-Maritzburg United right back Nazeer Allie are Bartlett’s triumph cards.
However, any slip of a draw or a loss the Urban Warriors can kiss the title goodbye. My view, it’s almost certain that the Western Cape outfit will clinch the title.
On the other hand, the Mpumalanga based Casric Stars boast quality in players like former Kaizer Chiefs midfielders Keletso Sifama and Given Thibedi to unlock any stubborn defence with their cheeky approach.
Stars swank an astute technical team led by owner/ head coach Bucs Mthombeni and his two lieutenants former Free State Stars captain Paulos Masehe and Thabo Nthethe the ex- Mamelodi Sundowns defender.
The trio have successfully brought stability to the side with their collective tactical acumen. My opinion, it’s not over until the fat lady sings.
Their manager Duncan Lechesa will depend on players like the evergreen Puleng Tlolane, Lerato Lamola and former Bucs defensive midfielder Mpho Makola to influence the results.
My belief, Rise and Shine chances of snatching the title are. Here are the rest of the Championship fixtures for Sunday.
Hungry Lions vs Magesi at Isak Steyl Stadium Vanderbjlpark
JDR Stars vs Platinum City Rovers at Soshanguve Giant Stadium Pretoria
TTM vs Baroka at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium Bloemfontein
Uthongathi vs NB La Masia at Princess Magogo Stadium Durban
Venda Academy vs Black Leopards at Thohoyandou Stadium Venda
All matches will be played on Sunday with a 15:00 kick-off.
GOLDFINGER SHAKOANE BOWS OUT
STROKE: Colourful Alex was a likeable character and had become the face of Mamelodi Sundowns
By Sports Reporter
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan has described the late Mamelodi Sundowns ex Public Relations Officer (Communications Manager), Alex Shakaone as a flamboyant and fantastic character who for years was face of the club.
The colourful Shakoane who was with Sundowns since the 70s passed away on Sunday ( May 8, 2023) after he allegedly suffered from stroke.
Dr Jordaan said South Africa had lost a true servant of the game. ‘’Alex had become the face of Mamelodi Sundowns from the days of Zola Mahobe, the Krok brothers, Tsichlas family to the current Motsepe leadership. He was colourful, well-spoken and a very likable character. A huge void in South African football has been created by his sudden death,’’ said the SAFA President.
‘’He was an iconic figure, loved by football fans and we are deeply saddened by the passing away of this bubbly giant.’’ Jordaan said Sundowns who have reached the semi-finals of this year’s CAF Champions
League should win the continental title in honour of Shakoane. ‘’They must go all the way and do it for Alex (Shakoane). He would have loved to see Sundowns lift the African title once again and I am hopeful they will do it for him.’’
In a post by his team this week, chairman of Mamelodi Sundowns, Tlhopie Motsepe said: “The Motsepe family, the Board, the Supporters and all the members of the Mamelodi Sundowns Family mourn and are deeply saddened by the passing of Alex” Goldfinger” Shakoane whom we all loved dearly. Bra Alex’s life was all about Mamelodi Sundowns and we will miss his unique contributions and larger than life personality.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shakoane family, his friends and all Masandawana.
Sundowns legends, Hlompho Kekana and Teko Modise also recounted their interactions withShakoane as they paid tribute to a loyal servant and supporter of the team.
Former captain Kekana described the loss of Ntate Shakoane as that of having lost a family member: “A father, an uncle, a grandfather, whatever you want to call him, but for me he was a man of principle, a man of honor, integrity and he was a protector. With him you’d feel safe, even with things that frustrated me as a footballer and a human being when I got to Sundowns, I would easily talk to him and he always had an answer (solution) for every challenge I was facing.”
Remembering Bra Alex’s role and contribution, Modise said Shakoane, was a true ambassador of the club, always going above and beyond to ensure that our supporters felt valued and appreciated. “His passion for the game of football was evident in everything he did, and his tireless efforts were instrumental in helping our club achieve its many successes. I strongly believe that we are going to miss his character, his personality and his contribution to the club.”
Alex Shakoane will forever live in the hearts and minds of all Masandawana.
Robala ka kgotso Shakwane ‘a Kgomo Le Motho!
Published on the 98th Edition
