Kruger United have established a three-point lead at the top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship after a busy weekend of action across South Africa’s second-tier league.
Kruger faced Milford FC in a top-of-the-table clash at the Kanyamazane Stadium on Saturday and secured a 1-0 triumph thanks to an injury-time strike from Vicky Mkhawana, who is on loan at the club from Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs. The Mpumalanga-based club has 40 points atop the standings, with Milford in second on 37 points.
Kruger’s victory came in the wake of another promotion-chasing side, Cape Town City, suffering a surprise 3-1 loss away to Highbury FC at the Gelvandale Stadium on Friday. The Citizens had strung together an 11-game unbeaten run, but were put to the sword by goals from Mervin Boji, Simphiwe Ndlovu, and Tsepo Cetywayo, leaving them in third place and four points off the pace of Kruger United.
The Cape side have been joined on 36 points by fourth-placed Hungry Lions, who defeated strugglers Baroka FC 1-0 away from home, while the top five is completed by Casric Stars on 35 points – they were held 1-1 at Lerumo Lions. Saturday also featured a 2-1 win for Upington City at home to The Bees.
Sunday’s two matches produced 1-0 home wins for Black Leopards and University of Pretoria over Leicesterford City and Venda FC, respectively. Lidoda Duvha remained at the bottom of the log, but are now within five points of safety, while AmaTuks reclaimed sixth place.
The weekend should have also featured a game between Gomora United and Midlands Wanderers at the Malamulele Stadium, but the fixture was postponed due to continuous inclement weather.
The MFC will continue with matchday 22 next weekend, headlined by Kruger United visiting Casric Stars, Milford hosting Baroka, and Cape Town City making the long trek to face Venda FC.
MFC weekend results
Friday 13 March
Highbury 3-1 Cape Town City
Saturday 14 March
Baroka FC 0-1 Hungry Lions
Lerumo Lions 1-1 Casric Stars
Kruger United 1-0 Milford FC
Upington City 2-1 The Bees
Sunday 15 March
Black Leopards 1-0 Leicesterford City
University of Pretoria 1-0 Venda FC
Gomora United v Midlands Wanderers – Postponed