WeeklySA_AdminDUELS: Upington leads the pack of promising victors in the weekend fixtures…
By Masoja Cele
Upington City FC hosts new boys Midlands Wanderers FC in the Motsepe Foundation Championship on Sunday at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium. The Upington game kicks off at 15:00.
The Northern Cape side has begun the season well winning two matches: beating Kruger United 4-2 in their opener and following that with a 1-0 loss to championship debutantes Leicesterford City. They won their next games 1-0 over Gomora FC. City’s fourth match against Black Leopards was postponed on Leopard’s request. Currently, ‘’Bafana Ba Gucci’’ sits comfortably on the fourth berth with six points from three matches.
Their coach is former Kruger United mentor Abram Mongoya who has a creditable curriculum vitae.
Mongoya guided Kruger United to promotion to the second division in the 2023/24season where they finished the campaign on fifth spot. At some stage ‘’The Village Boys’ ’topped the log but faltered towards the finishing line and missed out by a whisker the opportunity to play in the promotional playoffs.
Mongoya will be spoilt for choice in his team selection as he has a fully fit squad to choose from. Defensive midfielder Given Khuphe and his partner Karabo Theletsane are key to City’s build-ups in the engine room.
The pair are expected to create more opportunities for forwards Willie Nel who bagged 10 goals in the previous campaign and former Moroka Swallows target man Vuyisile Ntombayithethi. In defence ‘’Bafana Ba Gucci’’ will pin their hopes on the defensive partnership of long serving central defender Nicholas Motloung and the unyielding Siphelele Magubane.
A home win for City will definitely lift them up to a better position. Over-confidence must be their biggest concern as they step onto the field on Sunday.
Midlands Wanderers on the other hand are finding it difficult to adjust to the tough championship environment. Wanderers who are dubbed ‘’Abafana Bebatha or ‘’The Young Lions of Midlands” have played four, lost three and won one match. Their single win was a 1-0 against Hungry Lions at home.
The KZN outfit are languishing second from the bottom of the log. If ‘’Abafana Bebatha’’ nurse any hope of staying in the second tier beyond the current campaign then they will have to double their efforts in their upcoming fixtures.
. Players like striker Phakamani Mngadi, midfielder Thubulihle Magubane and attacking midfielder Phakamile Mbonwa should bring the positive performances they displayed during the ABC Motsepe playoffs. Losing points at this stage of the season is suicidal as the second is even more vicious with teams fighting for promotion or survival.
The Pietermaritzburg side is coached by Vincent Myeni.
