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MBOMBELA UTD CONFIDENT OF ESCAPING RELEGATION AXE

19/08/2020 00:56:00 BY SABELO NDZINISA

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MBABANE – They would have to sail against the tide to avoid being washed onto shores of relegation.

That is the situation facing South Africa’s Mbombela United, who are facing a tough relegation test in the remaining four matches of the season.

Current log standings show that the Nelspruit-based side has collected 26 points in 26 matches.

The club’s website is reporting that this is probably the lowest Mbombela United have stooped on the log since their NFD debut in the 2015/16 season. It is stated in the same report that the Mbombela players are confident they will stave off the relegation worries.

International

There are five Eswatini international players at Mbombela and these include Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst, Justice ‘Figa’ Figuareido, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa and Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze.

Dennis ‘Yuki’ Masina and Siyabonga Bhembe complete the Eswatini contingent at Mbombela United as they form part of the team’s technical bench.

Of the four remaining matches, ‘Tingwenyama’ as Mbombela are commonly known in football circles, will face at least three acid tests against Uthongathi FC, whom they host in a home away from home match this Wednesday (today) in Randburg Rugby Stadium at 3pm before facing Royal Eagles in the ‘last kicks of a dying horse’ scenario.

The final clash will be against Ajax Cape Town, who are determined not to spoil the party by losing their last match which might possibly send them to the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Comfortably

Uthongathi, who opened their lockdown break with double goalless draws against JDR Stars and Jomo Cosmos respectively, are comfortably seating 4th on the log with 42 points from 26 matches. They are just two points behind TTM and three behind second-placed Moroka Swallows and are fighting for their maiden PSL playoffs spot.

On Saturday (August 22, 2020), Tingwenyama will again be up against Real Kings, who have absolutely nothing to lose, while Tingwenyama will not only seek to climb up the ladder but also avenge the league first round league and Nedbank Cup knockout defeats to the same team at Kanyamazane Stadium.

On August 26, 2020, Tingwenyama will host relegation-haunted Royal Eagles who are merely looking for a drowning partner. Royal Eagles are currently at log basement with just 19 points from 26 matches.

It will then end with a mammoth task against promotion poised Ajax Cape Town in what will be the final matchday of the 2019/20 season.

Based on the current log standings, unless Jomo Cosmos fumble in any one of their remaining four matches, Mbombela United need three straight wins in the remaining games to stay safe of relegation – mathematically that is.

Promotion

On the other hand, should Ajax Cape Town fail to win at least two of their next three matches, pressure will mount on them to win the match against Mbombela United at all costs to ensure automatic promotion. Any result short of a win for Mbombela United in the next 3 matches might leave the match against Ajax as the much-needed lifeline to survive relegation.

However, with the confidence growing in the Tingwenyama camp following the 2- 0 win against Richards Bay FC and the goalless draw against Cape Umoya, it has been reported that the players are optimistic of ensuring their 2020/21 GladAfrica Championship tickets earlier than the final match.