WeeklySA_AdminABC CHAMPIONS: GladAfrica debutantes make their presence felt in debut season
By Masoja Cele
The GladAfrica Championship Newbie, Platinum City Rovers is hasty proving to be a thorn in the flesh of the opposition in the GladAfrica Championship. The North West Province side clinched promotion to the second tier last season.
They were the overall champions of the ABC Motsepe League last season. After three matches Rovers are on the summit of the GladAfrican Championship League. In their opening match of the 2021/2 season Rovers beat Free State Stars 1-0 away and followed the feat with another impressive 3-2 at home. Last weekend they beat Polokwane City 2-1 at home to intensify their grip on the log. Their next assignment is against Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC on Saturday at Thohoyandou Stadium. The North West based outfit roped in the experience mentor Ashwin Sutton. The well travelled coach has in the past guided teams like FC AK, Mbombela United and Sivutsa Stars. His coaching experience in the GladAfrica could be vital for Rovers.
Thabiso Nkoana and William Radebe are the key players for Sutton’s team. Second on the standings is JDR Stars who trail City Rovers with three points. The Pretoria team has collected six points out of nine. Their only loss came against Rovers in their second game of the season. They host Rodger De Sa led ensemble Cape Town All Stars at Soshanguve Giant Stadium. JDR Stars would want to pick up all the points to be among the early pace setters However, All Stars are desperate for a win so they could improve their current log standing. The Cape Town team are sitting eleven position on the log.
Last season title contenders TS Sporting will host University of Pretoria at Kabokweni Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday. Last weekend Abantu Bomthetho beat Black leopards 1-0 away from home. They are three points behind City Rovers. Sporting boasts quality playing personnel. The likes of Mohau Mokate , Vusumuzi Ngubane, Dahou Lebahi and Matome Mabeba have traded in the DStv Premiership before.
AmaTuks should be wary of the above mentioned players. In another interesting fixture on Saturday, basement side Jomo Cosmos travel away to Sivos Training Centre Stadium in Kathu. Ezenkosi face another newcomer, the pride of Postmasburg, Hungry Lions. The team from the Northen Cape have not disappointed at all. Lions are lying fourth on the table. At the other end the East Rand based team have just collected a single point from three matches. Cosmos would have to be sharp as a razor blade if they entertain any idea of winning this battle.
Richards Bay who were so impressive in the last campaign entertain DStv Premiership drop out Black Leopards at Richards Bay Stadium on Satuday. The Rich Boyz participated in the national play-offs but lost both their matches against the experienced Chippa United. Leopards who were relegated from the DStv Premiership are rapidly becoming the YoYo team of the Premier League. Lidodha Duhva have dropped for the third time down to the second tier. Will they bounce back against the Rich Boyz? They have only amassed two points from 3 matches while the Natal team have four points. Second from bottom Pretoria Callies host Free State Stars at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Sunday. Like Cosmos, The Romans only acquired one point from a possible nine from three games.
They lost two successive matches against TS Sporting (1-0) and Hungry Lions (2-!). And they played a scoreless draw at Cape Town All Stars. Callies have signed the well travelled Zambian forward Collins Mbesuma and former Moroka Swallows striker Edward Manqele with the intention of nipping the goal scoring drought. Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder William Twala has also sign for The Romans.
