ABC Motsepe Log standings after weekend results

Fixtures for ABC Motsepe league's last matches

Mbombela United to be crowned Champions

Evidence Mahlalela

Though it has not been officiated yet but the log leaders can now go to their last match against Phiva Young Stars with a huge relief after Phiva decided to hand the championship tittle to United before the league even ended. Phiva lost by two goals to nil (2-0) over the weekend when they hosted East High Academy at Kamhkushwa Stadium. Phiva sit on second position with 63 points while united is ahead with 68 points. The two are separated by 5 points gap with only one game left which will be played this coming Saturday at Kanyamazane Stadium as Mbombela will be hosting the Nkomazi rivals.

Phiva’s failure to beat East High took them off the championship race and so the play off dream. Likewise someone else’s loss work to someone else’s advantage and this one surely did for United. The god that United serve is surely great because if Phiva had won the game then this would have been another story, the two would have been expected to fight for life on the last game. Though with these two biggest competitors every time they clash it’s like a cup final, they play like it’s a matter of life and death.  Mbombela has joined the likes of; Juventus, FC Bayern Munchen, Barcelona, Chelsea, Kaizer Chiefs and the NFD champions Golden Arrows by clinching the title before the league could even end. It seems to be the case of ending the league with style this season so United didn’t disappoint as it also joined the big names.

This was the first season of the ABC Motsepe League as it was previously known as Vodacom League. Mbombela United becomes the first time champions of the ABC Motsepe in the Mpumalanga stream this means the mighty Tingwenyama will be playing the promotional play offs representing Mpumalanga Province however a fixed date has not been out yet. Mbombela United couldn’t be happier than this; the team already pictures themselves in play offs and making it to NFD. United has even had quite few radio interviews and the Chairmen Skhumbuzo Matsebula says it with no fear that they are the 2014/15 champions of the ABC Motsepe League. Even the coach himself wrote on social networks “sesiyithethe I league bafana bami” this was one kind of joy the team couldn’t hide nor wait for the final day to reveal. After a long and hard but fruitful season for united they can actually breathe relief before they host Phiva on Saturday.

Only one game remain for Tingwenyama

Evidence Mahlalela

It’s been a very long and tough season for Mbombela United more especially the second round. 28 games are nor child’s play, the Mbombela boys have experienced many difficulties in the second round hence they should just look back and take a deep breath, after staying firm and managed to keep the number one spot no matter the circumstances. This is a team that managed to keep the number one spot since their third game of the season; this means Mbombela has been the log leaders in 25 games however one of the 28 games no longer count following points deduction due to MP Highlanders being ruled out of the ABC Motsepe 2014/15 season for certain reasons. The deprivation of MP Highlanders means instead of 30 games there will be 28 games this season.

United will host their biggest competitor of all times, Phiva Young Stars on the afternoon of the 30^th of May at Kanyamazane Stadium. Phiva is the same team that is heating up things for the log leaders on second position. The two are separated by five point’s gap while Phiva has a game in hand. The wonders of football will never cease to amaze, it has now become 5 points when it used or was initially 15 points, if it was Pitso Mosimane’s case he would have said “it’s not about how you start it but how you end it” that’s what he said when Mamelodi Sundowns clinched the 2013/14 league title right in the palm of Kaizer Chief’s hands. It has just been few months back after the first round derby which obviously went well for United as they were the victorious side with a 1-0 win. Phiva was beaten at its own game and this didn’t seat well for them so they are out for revenge this time around. Though united is reluctant of a loss especially at their home ground. The log leaders have lost only one game to East High Academy in the second round while Phiva have lost 3 games.

Phiva will be out to make history because they are very determine to beat United which is something they have never had luck of in the history of Vodacom league now known as ABC Motsepe league. Phiva will host East High Academy a week before the derby while United will have no game. The log leaders are currently in 68 points while Phiva hold 63 points. Phiva needs to win their game against East High to keep their promotional play offs dream alive if not they will forever remain in the dream land. A lose or draw will simply mean United have clinched the title. A win for the chasers will just bring nothing but a very emotional and frustrating ending because they will be both fighting for number one spot on the last game, which is the ticket to the promotional play offs and if possibly it’s NFD next season.

Photo Gallery: Mbombela United v/s Young Highlanders (6-0)

upcoming weekend fixtures

ABC Motsepe log standings 

ABC Motsepe weekend results

Impressive comeback for Mbombela United

Evidence Mahlalela

United had a tough one the previous weekend when they took off to Kabhokweni to lock horns with Forek Academy only to come back with 1point as a result of 1-1 draw. Despite the sad and heart breaking draw for ‘Tingwenyama’ as known by its followers, determination and eager to bounce back was filled within them as they hosted Young Highlanders at Kanyamazane Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The mood of the stadium was sensational, the weather and everything was on point. Stadium almost reached full capacity as the fans came to witness the impressive comeback by Mbombela. Young Highlanders drove all the way from Witbank only to be beaten 6-0. This was indeed an impressive comeback for United.

The first minutes were better for both but then it was all about who gets more chances and converts. Highlanders had their fair chances but then they were not strategic enough upfront to beat United’s goalkeeper. Mbombela didn’t hesitate when they got the opportunity in the early 20min of the game as Inky Masuku made it 1-0 for united after a very powerful short just near the centre line. The visitors tried their luck for an equalizer but then united had a very solid and mobile defence. While Highlanders struggled with an equalizer united made it two after Siyathemba Mnguni’s lovely strike, the timing was good, a sensational goal it was. Highlanders failed to get a goal as the game went to a 2-0 half time.

Highlanders only had 45 minutes to equalize or even comeback to win the game but then things turned ugly for the visitors as United made it 3-0 right away in second half by Siyathemba’s brace, a beautiful header from a corner kick. Mbombela didn’t give Highlanders a chance to breath instead it’s like they were strangling them even more harder as Masuku scored his brace to make it 4-0 for United few minutes after the third goal. Highlanders tried their best however it was not good enough to give them a goal hence United didn’t want to concede not even an offside goal. Siyathemba scored his Hat-trick in the late minutes of the game after a beautiful cross couldn’t resist the midfielder’s afro headed as he made it 5-0. Just a few minutes before the three whistle blow, Sinethemba Jantjie who came in as a second half substitution made it 6-0 for United after a simple pass from Masuku, which everyone thought was going to be his hat-trick but guess a brace was enough for him. From fans, management down to the players of United you could tell joy was filled within them especially after their draw. After all this meant United can still hold on to their promotional play offs dream as the league is approaching the end. Isaac Nhlapo one of the most talented midfielders for United couldn’t hide his feelings after he wrote on his facebook “we played well as a team and we have been working hard, we deserve that win” the log leaders are now one game away against number two on the log Phiva Young Stars. The leaders are very confident after their win and their looking forward on the next game. Mbombela sit on top position with 68 points.

ABC Motsepe weekend fixtures

Gallery of Images: Forek Academy v/s Mbombela United (1-1)