As the race for the ABC Motsepe League 2014-15 championship intensifies, the pressure is on Tornado who have three games in hand while Mthatha Bucks continue with their winning momentum at the log summit.
Highbury have also jumped into the fray in contest of the top spot which makes the battle one between East London which is home to Tornado, Port Elizabeth represented by Highbury and Mthatha.
EL has got one more contender in the form of Angavu Stars who also have a slight chance of emerging league winners but their fate is heavily reliant on how the other three fare in the remaining games before the curtain comes down on the 2014-15 season.
As things stand, after 20 games and 12 to go, Bucks remain at the top of the table with 47 points.
They have monopolised the position since the beginning of the campaign and only Tornado stand a real chance of toppling if they win all their three games in hand by about 10 goals combined.
A task that will be difficult for the Mdantsane side known not to be among high-scoring clubs in the league.
Bucks tightened their grip this past weekend with a 2-0 win over Matta Milan away from home.
As things stand, at second is Highbury with seven points trailing Bucks.
Both first and second are the only teams to have suffered a blemish only once in the ongoing season.
The third-placed Tornado, despite their three outstanding games have lost three times already and play their first catch-up game tomorrow against rejuvenated FC Elliot at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
FC Elliot are on form under the guidance of their new highly rated coach, Mondli Funani who recently joined them from Angavu.
They beat Real City with a convincing 3-0 this past weekend.
Highbury, over the past weekend missed out on a chance to close the gap when they played to a goalless draw against Kokstad Liverpool.
Angavu are edging closer after their 4-0 butchering of the underperforming Tembu Royals.
On paper, Bucks look set to finish top the league by the end but they have several tough games still coming with all three of the other contenders for championship.
In fact, their real test starts this weekend against Elliot at home before they go to Mdantsane for the big one against Tornado.
To beat Tornado in Mdantsane has proved impossible for all who have visited Sisa Dukashe Stadium this season as they are yet to lose in their backyard.
As much as there is a race for the ultimate crown, another important one to highlight is the one for survival at the bottom of the table.
Cacadu United look good to be relegated with a single win in 20 outings.
The seasoned basement dwellers suffered yet another 2-1 defeat in a contest with Morning Stars last Saturday.
Also likely to be victims of the dreaded axe is one JB Milan which is second from bottom with 12 points as they were also 2-1 losers in a faceoff with La Liga.
Tornado all fired to ride out heavy turbulence for crown
Highbury have also jumped into the fray in contest of the top spot which makes the battle one between East London which is home to Tornado, Port Elizabeth represented by Highbury and Mthatha.
EL has got one more contender in the form of Angavu Stars who also have a slight chance of emerging league winners but their fate is heavily reliant on how the other three fare in the remaining games before the curtain comes down on the 2014-15 season.
As things stand, after 20 games and 12 to go, Bucks remain at the top of the table with 47 points.
They have monopolised the position since the beginning of the campaign and only Tornado stand a real chance of toppling if they win all their three games in hand by about 10 goals combined.
A task that will be difficult for the Mdantsane side known not to be among high-scoring clubs in the league.
Bucks tightened their grip this past weekend with a 2-0 win over Matta Milan away from home.
As things stand, at second is Highbury with seven points trailing Bucks.
Both first and second are the only teams to have suffered a blemish only once in the ongoing season.
The third-placed Tornado, despite their three outstanding games have lost three times already and play their first catch-up game tomorrow against rejuvenated FC Elliot at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
FC Elliot are on form under the guidance of their new highly rated coach, Mondli Funani who recently joined them from Angavu.
They beat Real City with a convincing 3-0 this past weekend.
Highbury, over the past weekend missed out on a chance to close the gap when they played to a goalless draw against Kokstad Liverpool.
Angavu are edging closer after their 4-0 butchering of the underperforming Tembu Royals.
On paper, Bucks look set to finish top the league by the end but they have several tough games still coming with all three of the other contenders for championship.
In fact, their real test starts this weekend against Elliot at home before they go to Mdantsane for the big one against Tornado.
To beat Tornado in Mdantsane has proved impossible for all who have visited Sisa Dukashe Stadium this season as they are yet to lose in their backyard.
As much as there is a race for the ultimate crown, another important one to highlight is the one for survival at the bottom of the table.
Cacadu United look good to be relegated with a single win in 20 outings.
The seasoned basement dwellers suffered yet another 2-1 defeat in a contest with Morning Stars last Saturday.
Also likely to be victims of the dreaded axe is one JB Milan which is second from bottom with 12 points as they were also 2-1 losers in a faceoff with La Liga.
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