The first weekend of action in the new Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC), South Africa’s revamped second tier below the top-flight DStv Premiership, has concluded with NB La Masia and Casric Stars leading the way after their 2-0 wins over JDR Stars and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila respectively.
The season opened on Friday with La Masia claiming a 2-0 home win over JDR Stars at Bidvest Stadium, thanks to goals from Augustine Mahlonoko and Yusuf Jappie, while a strike from Menzi Ndwandwe took All Stars to a 1-0 away victory over Platinum City Rovers at Olen Park.
Saturday’s trio of games featured a 1-1 draw between Pretoria Callies and Cape Town Spurs at Lucas Moripe Stadium (goals from Nyakalo Raphadu and Ashley Cupido respectively), while two games in the Limpopo province both ended 1-0: Hungry Lions got the better of Black Leopards at Malamulele Stadium thanks to a first-half goal from Tshepo Mohlala, while Magesi edged Venda via Vuyisile Wana’s strike at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Sunday brought a goalless stalemate between Pretoria University and Polokwane City, as well as a 2-1 away win for Uthonghati at Baroka FC – thanks to strikes from Mfanafuthi Mkhize and Bayzel Goldstone – while Casric Stars joined La Masia at the top of the log on three points and with a +2 goal difference thanks to their 2-0 triumph over TTM at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium. Thabang Rakwena and Thulani Mbonani netted for the hosts.
The MFC will continue with a full round of fixtures next weekend, 10-11 September, headlined by a Limpopo derby between Polokwane City and Black Leopards.
MFC weekend results
Friday
NB La Masia 2-0 JDR Stars
Platinum City Rovers 0-1 All Stars
Saturday
Black Leopards 0-1 Hungry Lions
Magesi FC 1-0 Venda FC
Pretoria Callies 1-1 Cape Town Spurs
Sunday
Casric Stars 2-0 Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila
Pretoria University 0-0 Polokwane City
Baroka FC 1-2 Uthongathi FC