Spurs close in on Baroka at the top

Round 18 of the 2015/16 National First Division saw leaders Baroka FC held to a goalless draw in Thohoyandou by Limpopo rivals Black Leopards on Saturday, allowing second-placed Witbank Spurs to close to within four points of the top of the table.

Spurs claimed a 3-1 victory at African Warriors thanks to a brace from Cleopas Dube, while Joshua Sauls also got his name on the score sheet for the Mpumalanga side.

Also on Saturday, FC Cape Town claimed a much needed 3-1 win over local rivals Vasco Da Gama to climb away from the relegation zone. Moroka Swallows remain rooted to the bottom of the log after losing 3-2 at Royal Eagles (with Dominic Isaacs scoring a late winner), while Highlands Park and Mbombela United played to a 2-2 draw, with Thokozani Mshengu scoring on debut for the latter.

The big win of the round came on Friday when Santos crushed Cape Town All Stars 4-0 in a derby at Athlone Stadium. Goals from Carl Lark, Kpah Sherman, Suhayl Allie and Devin Saal saw the People’s Team pick up their first three-pointer of 2016 and deal a real blow to the promotion hopes of Igugu Lekapa.

Milano United were also winners in round 18, beating Thanda Royal Zulu 3-1 last Wednesday at Athlone Stadium to pick up their fifth successive victory. Yussuf Jappie, Junaid Sait and Coldrin Coetzee found the back of the net for the Grassy Park side.

The round was brought to a close on Sunday when Mthatha Bucks held AmaZulu to a goalless draw in the Eastern Cape, giving a boost to their hopes of moving clear of the relegation zone at the bottom of the NFD standings.

NFD round 18 results

Wednesday, 3 February

Milano United 3-1 Thanda Royal

Friday, 5 February

Cape Town All Stars 0-4 Santos

Saturday, 6 February

Black Leopards 0-0 Baroka FC

FC Cape Town 3-1 Vasco Da Gama

African Warriors 1-3 Witbank Spurs

Royal Eagles 3-2 Moroka Swallows

Highlands Park 2-2 Mbombela United

Sunday, 7 February

Mthatha Bucks 0-0 AmaZulu