United Stars will have to pull up their socks if they want to maintain the lead at the summit of the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association (ANLFA) Promotional League.
But Stars president cum-coach Sakhile Zulu believes otherwise. “Closing the gap and stiff competition is what makes the league even more interesting,” he said.
Only two points separate log leaders United Stars and their nearest rival, Black Mask FC. Stars have accumulated 48 points from 20 games, having won 15 of those, drawn three and lost only two.
Mask has dethroned AmaSkills United from the second spot and relegated them to the third position. Mask has played 21 games, won 14, drew four and lost three with 46 points while AmaSkills has also played 20, won 11, drew seven and lost two, and is on 40 points.
Loyo Stars too has played 20, won 12, drew three and lost five with 39 points while in fifth spot of the league is Alex Royal Tigers. The Tigers have played 19 games, won 11, drew five and lost three with 38 points.
With just five games played in the second round of the league, football pundits believe anything can happen. If United Stars slip up, they could easily lose promotion and find themselves having to chase two or so teams for the crowning of the champions.
“As Zulu put it, the tighter it is the more interesting it becomes and let’s all enjoy the treat,” the pundits said. In their last game against Happy Fighters FC on the weekend of April 27, United Stars walloped them 5-1.
Itumeleng ‘Lebese’ Morake scored a brace, and Kabelo ‘Castro’ Rakosa, Thabiso ‘Matata’ Mangoaela, and Nhlakanipho ‘Biscuit’ Mncube each scored. On Workers’ Day, United Stars lost to Mask 3-1.
United Stars’ next game is against the upcoming Tigers and anything can happen and most probably change the ‘jockey’ at the summit – that is if Mask wins their upcoming game.
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