{"id":300162,"date":"2024-02-14T04:02:46","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T02:02:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/big-clash-on-the-cards-20240213\/"},"modified":"2024-02-14T04:02:46","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T02:02:46","slug":"big-clash-on-the-cards-20240213","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/big-clash-on-the-cards-20240213\/","title":{"rendered":"Big clash on the cards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Mangaung Unite football club is poised to clinch the B stream of the ABC Motsepe League in the Free State and automatically qualify for the play-off to decide this year\u2019s provincial championship match against the winner of the A stream. The race to win the A stream is between Bloemfontein Celtic and D\u2019 General FC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Excluding league matches this forthcoming Friday, 16 February, and Saturday, clubs are left with four games to complete the current season of 2023-\u201924. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The last matches will be played on 16 March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bloemfontein-based Unite is the only undefeated club in the provincial ABC Motsepe League competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The club is facing a stiff challenge from the Botshabelo-based Mathaithai FC, currently in second position with 24 points. Unite is topping the log with 27 points after 11 matches played thus far. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The teams face off on 2 March in what could be a decider in the B stream. The intriguing fixture will be played in Bloemfontein, with Unite having the edge thanks to playing on their home turf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the previous league outing, in December, the two clubs shared the spoils after they played to a two-all draw in Botshabelo. Even in the 2022-\u201923 season they settled for a point each in a league fixture that ended in a final score of 2 \u2013 2. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Unite has the added advantage of 27 superior goals over Mathaithai, who have thus far scored 20 goals after the same number of matches played. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other tough match Unite is gearing up for is against its local rivals the Spartans on 9 March. FC Spartans is the dark horse in the contest to win the B stream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the upcoming league fixtures on Saturday, 17 February, Unite will clash against last year\u2019s Free State champion, Buffalo FC, while Mathaithai will take on the African Warriors in Qwaqwa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The A stream will see two favourites, Celtic and D\u2019 General, tussle in an equally crucial match in Bloemfontein on Sunday at 15:00. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A single point separates the two clubs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, D\u2019 General has a goal tally of 29 against the mere 19 goals of Celtic. Victory will propel the Botshabelo-based outfit to the helm of the log. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Mangaung Unite football club is poised to clinch the B stream of the ABC Motsepe League in the Free State and automatically qualify for the play-off to decide this year\u2019s provincial championship match against the winner of the A stream. 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The race\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/big-clash-on-the-cards-20240213\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BloemNews Express\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bloemnuus\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-02-14T02:02:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/a22777d6ed7b441d93c43b32d6d8fd23.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1922\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Teboho Setena\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"BloemNews Express\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" 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