Only Premier Impala and Freedom Park Brothers are unbeaten as the Soweto Football Association’s (SFA) Premier League enters mid-season.
With only a few games before the end of the first round, Impala and Brothers’ unbeaten record make them strong contenders for the promotion play-offs at the end of the season.
As Brothers and Impala, Streams D and A leaders, respectively, prepare for yet another weekend, their opponents Pimville West Ham and Genius will have to be at their best to stop them on Sunday at the Nike Football Training Centre and George Ndlovu Sports Centre.
Meanwhile, improved form make Orlando West United favourites against Soweto Warriors, who they meet at Power Park. United’s mentor Sipho Nyembe is a man of few words and was coy about his predictions. “I cannot give you the overall picture of how we’ll play because we take one game at a time,” he said.
Brothers, meanwhile, are on 21 points from nine games and trail second-placed Orlando Real Stars by four points. And Coach Patrick Mulea remains confident about their chances: “We are going to fight hard to stay on top. Our aim is to finish the first round unbeaten,” he said.
Elsewhere, a recharged Grace Bible Church seem to have found the form that eluded them at the beginning of the season. “But here we are now, second in Stream B with 16 points. It’s a great resurgence,” said coach Tshepo Nakedi who warned his players not to be complacent against the uninspiring Sakhumzi FC at the George Ndlovu Sports Centre in Pimville.
Stream B log leaders Norkem Rangers enjoy a 14-point lead over Grace Church and will also be at the same venue as them, against Kliptown Killers at noon.
Rangers’ manager Lee Mothiba said: “The boys are focused. This is a vital stage of the league and we can’t afford any slip-ups.”
Meadowlands Scorpions are at home to Ratanang FC at Zone 5 Grounds. Scorpions have been struggling for wins and after seven games have recorded one loss and no less than six draws.
“Victory is evading us week after week. It’s about time we started collecting full points without conceding goals,” said coach Xolani Xaba.
The PSL’s multi-award winner and Ajax Amsterdam-bound Thulani Serero’s former club, Senaoane Gunners, meanwhile, have a difficult match against Dennis African Stars in a Stream C match at the Senaoane Swimming Pool grounds. And a rejuvenated Pimville Cameroon reckon Mofolo Liverpool will not deter them from collecting maximum points at the Nike Centre.
SFA PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES ON SUNDAY
Stream A: Alpha Diepkloof v Kliptown Youth Program (Power Park), White City Tigers v White City Spurs, Logos v University of Joburg, Pimville Tigers v Tshiawelo Juventus (Nike). Stream B: Sancho Rangers v Future Stars, Kopanang Bakwena v Lawley FC (Naledi Ext 2), Seven Stars v Super Spurs (Moletsane Sports); Dlamini United Brains v Sea Robbers (Dlamini Ibhongo); Senaoane Real City v Together My Loving (Senaoane Swimming Pool). Stream C: Orlando Destroyers v Bernett Super Strikers (Power Park); Motswako FC v Siyaqoba Development (Mzimhlophe Uptown); Tshiawelo All Stars v Woodpeckers, Phiri Super Stars v Wanderers Boys (Senaoane Swimming Pool); Mike Stars v Rockville Hungry Lions (Moletsane Sports: Lenasia Spurs v Protea Hill Stars (Lenasia Stadium). Stream D: Dlamini X1 Experience v Mzimhlophe Porto FC (Dlamini Ibhongo); Diepkloof Dreams v Sandoval United (Power Park); Yanga FC v Orlando United (Senqobile P School); Real Madrid v Orlando Real Stars (Meadowlands Zone 5); PCO Young Ones v Ikusasalethu Bright Starts (Emndeni Mafanta); Soweto SAPS v Sabelo Super Stars (George Ndlovu); Stream E: Soccer Planet FC v The Best (Senqobile P School); Soweto United v Siyaya FC, Mapetla Youth United v FC Pilot (Mapetla Moloi); Meadowlands Liverpool v Golden Young Stars (Meadowlands Zone), Dlamini All Blacks v Western Rangers (Dlamini Ibhongo), Lusitano FC v Limpopo FC; Rockville United Killers v The Boys (Elkah Stadium)
