The National First Division’s top trio of Baroka FC, Witbank Spurs and Cape Town All Stars have broken away from the rest of the chasing pack after good wins, while Mbombela United stunned Black Leopards 3-2 in Thohoyandou.
Bakgaga’s 3-0 hammering of Moroka Swallows in Dobsonville thanks to efforts from Dineo Shaku, Nkosinathi Ndlovu and Loyiso Simandla means the Birds have now conceded eight goals in three successive home encounters and currently lie near the drop zone with a goal difference of minus 10.
The unbeaten Limpopo side has now netted fourteen goals in seven games whereas Swallows’ goalkeepers have ironically picked the ball out of their net on the same number of occasions.
Spurs managed another away victory, this time overpowering struggling Mthatha Bucks 2-1 after Cleopas Dube hit a late winner to yet again deny the Eastern Cape side their opening three-point haul.
Earlier, Themba Mafu’s outfit went ahead via Joshua Saul’s penalty before Moses Spandeel equalised.
All Stars are back in business following a narrow 1-0 home win over a tough Highlands Park at the Athlone Stadium, where a second-half strike from Thapelo Mathibe keeps Daniel Malesela’s team in third spot.
Mbombela were the biggest movers of the weekend, leapfrogging Highlands, AmaZulu after their 2-1 loss to FC Cape Town, Royal Eagles, who could only manage a 1-1 draw with Thanda Royal Zulu, and Leopards.
Although the Lion’s head coach, Vusi Mkhatshwa, doesn’t have much NFD experience, he deserves special credit for engineering his club’s third win.
Following goals from Sicelo Gumede, Inky Masuku and Phetolo Sekome, Mbombela jumped to fourth spot, five points adrift of Igugu Lekapa.
A Maboke Matlakala brace was sufficient for the African Beasts to overhaul Usuthu in Parow as Craig Rosslee grabbed his second win in a row. AmaZulu’s defenders appeared to struggle with high balls and were outplayed by a more determined side.
Bornwell Mwape, who netted for the visitors now has a total of three goals, the same number as Matlakala, Cleopas Dube and Eagles’ scorer, Katlego Mphela.
On Sunday, Vasco da Gama were back on song with a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened African Warriors thanks to Mbulelo Wambi’s brace, while Milano United and Santos played out a dramatic 1-1 draw.
