The National First Division (NFD) battle rages on tomorrow with four clubs, including Eastern Cape’s own Mthatha Bucks, fighting for their lives to sidestep the dreaded relegation axe.
The other three relegation candidates are Moroka Swallows, Thanda Royal Zulu and African Warriors.
At the bottom are the Dube Birds with 23 points from 28 matches with Warriors coming in at second last, two points ahead of Swallows with one more game played, while Thanda lie 14th on 26 points and just above them are Bucks on 27 points.
So close is the relegation battle that any of the four can still get the chop. But that all depends on what they do in the remaining two matches for Thanda, Bucks and Swallows with one remaining for Warriors.
BUCKS: The Mthatha outfit, unlike the rest, have the least pressure because a win tomorrow at home against Highlands Park will mean they have successfully avoided relegation even if they go on to lose to Royal Eagles next weekend.
On the other hand, a loss and a draw does not guarantee them survival as it will only prolong their nightmare until the Eagles encounter billed for the Harry Gwala Stadium next weekend unless Swallows and Thanda, who are locking horns tomorrow, play to a draw.
SWALLOWS: Being one of the historically rich football clubs in SA with thousands of supporters across the country, Swallows have no choice but to win both remaining matches starting tomorrow against Thanda.
Even if they win both matches, one of which is against Witbank Spurs next week, they should remain hopeful that Thanda and Warriors – themselves relegation candidates – play to a draw on May 22.
THANDA: The KwaZulu-Natal side needs just three points in six to play for to guarantee their safety.
A victory against the Dube Birds tomorrow will be good enough, even if they go on to be defeated by the Warriors next weekend or vice-versa.
WARRIORS: Theirs is a more complicated one because their fate is not entirely in their own hands.
The big win against Baroka midweek however rejuvenated their hope for survival.
And as a result of that match, which was meant to allow Baroka time for their Nedbank Cup commitment this weekend, they are not playing tomorrow.
A loss for Bucks and Thanda tomorrow and again next weekend will be good enough to save their skin. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
Scramble to avoid drop
The other three relegation candidates are Moroka Swallows, Thanda Royal Zulu and African Warriors.
At the bottom are the Dube Birds with 23 points from 28 matches with Warriors coming in at second last, two points ahead of Swallows with one more game played, while Thanda lie 14th on 26 points and just above them are Bucks on 27 points.
So close is the relegation battle that any of the four can still get the chop. But that all depends on what they do in the remaining two matches for Thanda, Bucks and Swallows with one remaining for Warriors.
BUCKS: The Mthatha outfit, unlike the rest, have the least pressure because a win tomorrow at home against Highlands Park will mean they have successfully avoided relegation even if they go on to lose to Royal Eagles next weekend.
On the other hand, a loss and a draw does not guarantee them survival as it will only prolong their nightmare until the Eagles encounter billed for the Harry Gwala Stadium next weekend unless Swallows and Thanda, who are locking horns tomorrow, play to a draw.
SWALLOWS: Being one of the historically rich football clubs in SA with thousands of supporters across the country, Swallows have no choice but to win both remaining matches starting tomorrow against Thanda.
Even if they win both matches, one of which is against Witbank Spurs next week, they should remain hopeful that Thanda and Warriors – themselves relegation candidates – play to a draw on May 22.
THANDA: The KwaZulu-Natal side needs just three points in six to play for to guarantee their safety.
A victory against the Dube Birds tomorrow will be good enough, even if they go on to be defeated by the Warriors next weekend or vice-versa.
WARRIORS: Theirs is a more complicated one because their fate is not entirely in their own hands.
The big win against Baroka midweek however rejuvenated their hope for survival.
And as a result of that match, which was meant to allow Baroka time for their Nedbank Cup commitment this weekend, they are not playing tomorrow.
A loss for Bucks and Thanda tomorrow and again next weekend will be good enough to save their skin. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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