The ABC Motsepe League fixtures promise to entertain football lovers around the province with a clash of the giants taking centre-stage.
The defending champions Tornado are set to visit PE Stars at the Saints Stadium. The Mdantsane-based outfit had a good start to their league campaign, but their scoring rate has been a bit disappointing as they have scored only two goals in three league matches.
But this past weekend Tshepo Motsoeneng’s charges had a fantastic run in the Nedbank Cup playoffs when they qualified as one of the last four teams competing for a spot in the last 32 teams of the lucrative tournament.
The last season’s champions rattled the back of the net seven times in the two games against newcomers Bush Bucks Academy and Birmingham City on Saturday.
That inspiring performance can be expected to boost their confidence levels as they continue with their league commitments this coming weekend.
Tornado have won two league matches to date, drawing one, something that didn’t concern Motsoeneng as he said he was aiming to concede fewer goals than the 14 goals they had last season.
On the other hand, Stars, who were the runners-up last season after collecting a tally of 43 points, has experienced a bit of a rocky start to their campaign.
The Port Elizabeth outfit has won one game in the league, drawn one and lost one, but one thing they’ve not disappointed their fans with is scoring goals. They have scored four times in those three games played, and conceded only three times.
Unfortunately Stars were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup playoffs when they lost 1-0 to Highbury at the NU2 Stadium in PE on Saturday.
These two sides, who are expected to be top league contenders, will be looking for maximum points when they meet on Saturday.
Another game expected to be a thrilling encounter in the third-tier league this coming weekend will be between Bizana Pondo Chiefs and the reincarnated Matta Milan at the Ngumbela Stadium in Butterworth.
Milan finished in 14th spot on the log last season after a difficult run, and they will be looking to improve from that position when this season ends. They had a disappointing start to the league after they lost 1-0l to the reigning champions – Tornado – and their 1-all draw against Peacemakers.
But their young coach, Andile Dyani seemed to have found his feet when last season was drawing to a close when he managed to push his team out of the relegation zone. Milan finished eighth with 34 points.
“We are waiting for Pondo Chiefs and we’ll welcome them with warm hands this weekend,” said Dyani.
Chiefs, a team that is arguably one of the strongest sides that gained promotion last season, have been on the roll since the 2018-19 season began, winning all three games they’ve played with a whopping 15 goals, conceding only four goals.
In their maiden season Chiefs finished at fourth place on the log-standings and they are also expected to improve from that position this season.
Other fixtures: Amavarara v Bush Bucks Academy (Komani), Highbury v Swartkops Valley United Brothers (2nd Avenue, PE), Sibanye v Birmingham City (Adcock Stadium, PE), Yakha United v Future Tigers (Mount Ayliff Stadium), The Guys v Mthatha Bucks (Mqeshwa Sports Fields)..