NAFA start first premier league games
NORTHERN Areas Football Association (NAFA) Premier League hosted their first matches of the season on Saturday and Sunday.
The league has divided their teams into two streams. In Stream A, the teams are Glenville Celtic, Bloom Callies, Rangers, Helenvale United, Park United, Blackpool, West Lake and Hotspurs. In stream B, the teams are Windvogel All Stars, Stardrift, Apex, Shamrocks, Saints, Fairview Rovers, Fairdene and Bloem Stars.
The Stream A battle at Errol Heyns Field on Sunday saw Glenville share a 1–1 draw with Callies. Despite their 2–1 loss, Rangers gave Helenvale a run for their money at Springdale Fields.
Park United earned a 4–1 victory over Blackpool FC at Marock Road Field 1. West Lake defeated Hotspurs 2–1 FC at Marock Road Field 2.
In Stream B, Windvogel All Stars earned an easy 4–0 win over Stardrift at Gelvan Astro Fields on Saturday. Apex FC played to a 2–2 draw against Shamrocks at Marock Road Field 1. Saints started the season on a high, defeating Fairview Rovers 2–0 at Saints Grounds. Fairdene faced a tough Bloem Stars, beating them 3–2 in a nailbiter at Marock Road Field 2.
Shining Stars maintain unbeaten record
ZWIDE Football Association (ZWIFA) Swartkops Sea Salt Premier League reigning champions and current log leaders, Shining Stars FC, have maintained their unbeaten record since the start of the season.
After 12 league games, Stars have accumulated 32 points, with 10 wins, two draws and no losses. The league champions defeated Amadamara 2–0 at their home ground on Thursday.
Stars are two points ahead of Kuyasa United Brothers, who have played the same number of games. Brothers managed to overcome Zwide Pirates 3–1 at Shining Stars Grounds on Thursday.
Young Brothers were thwarted 6–0 by Duka Cosmos in a one-sided game, also at Shining Stars Grounds on Thursday.
Mwalimu All Stars ousted Umanyano Stars 4–1 at Zwide Celtics Grounds on Thursday. Sophakama FC collected three league points in their bid to avoid relegation following their hard-fought 2–1 win against Alaska FC. Morning Stars were held to a 2–2 draw by Everton on Thursday, at Zwide Celtics Grounds.
ZWIFA First Division results:
Umanyano Stars 1-1 Amadamara
Bay City 4-1 Zwide Celtics
Young Killers 1-1 Golden Aces
Shining Stars 3-1 Kuyasa United Brothers
NUBS 1-1 Mighty Heroes
Mwalimu All Stars 6-2 Morning Stars
Camper United FC drop three valuable points
SAFA Nelson Mandela Bay Hollywood Bets Regional League title contenders, Camper United FC, went down 2–1 to Red Lions during their clash at Motherwell 11 Stadium on Saturday.
Following their goalless draw with Royal Bucks on Saturday, Camper aimed at cementing their position on top of the log table. Lions scored twice, with the home side scoring an odd goal. Lions’ victory boosted their hopes of finishing in the top four at the end of the season.
The league hopefuls and log leaders, Old Grey FC, who shared a home 1–1 draw with Madibaz last Saturday, were awarded a walkover against Eleven Stars at Jabavu Stadium in KwaNobuhle on Saturday. In their bid to fight relegation, Roaring Tigers claimed a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Stinging Bees at Chevrolet Stadium.
Khipu Major Chiefs collected three league points in their 2–1 away win over Madibaz Football at NMU South Campus Ground in Summerstrand on Saturday.
Other SAFA NMB Hollywood Bets Regional League results:
Bay Tigers 1-2 Royal Bucks
Dynamos 1-1 Real Madrid
EC Celtics 3-0 PEFC
Highland Spurs 2-3 New Brighton Academy
Despatch Pioneers 2-2 Red City
NMB sides get soft points in ABC Motsepe League
TWO Nelson Mandela Bay sides were awarded soft points in ABC Motsepe League on Friday and on Saturday.
Amavarara FC was alleged to have forgotten to bring their players’ cards to a Stream A clash at Sauer Park Grounds in Aliwal North on Saturday, with visitors Hanley from Kariega being awarded soft points. At NMU South Campus Grounds on Friday, Highbury FC was left waiting for Ayliff City FC who failed to pitch.
Amampondo United defeated EMI FC 2–0 at Ayliff Stadium in Mount Ayliff on Saturday.
KwaZakhele team Peace Makers supporters saw their side lose 3–0 away to FC Ravens during their Stream A game at Mphuthumi Mafumbatha in Bizana on Saturday. Fourth-place Stream B side Makers, a strong team in ABC Motsepe League, have 18 points from 13 games.
Addo-based Bush Pirates, at the bottom of the log in Stream B, suffered a huge 4–1 defeat from FC Siyanda at Mount Frere Stadium on Saturday.
Unbeaten Stream A leaders, Sinenkani FC, hammered Young Challengers 3–0 at Mbhizana Stadium in Bizana on Saturday, while FC Buffalo City Relatives overcame Bush Bucks 3–1 in their Stream A clash at Sisa Dukashe in Mdantsane. Matta Millan’s home supporters were overjoyed after their side outplayed Amaxesibe FC 5–0 at Ngumbela Stadium.
