Midrand United FC head coach Morgan Moodley is determined to keep his side’s promotion ambitions firmly on track when they face struggling Ebony Fighters FC on Sunday, November 8.

The encounter, scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, will see Ebony Fighters play as the home side despite the match being hosted at United’s home ground, Halfway House Primary School.

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The arrangement is part of efforts to accommodate outstanding league fixtures, with most teams using Rabie Ridge Stadium as their home venue. The stadium’s two fields have increasingly struggled to accommodate fixtures played simultaneously, particularly this season following an expansion of the league from 11 teams to 18.

For Moodley, Sunday’s match presents another opportunity to strengthen his team’s promotion campaign after narrowly missing out on the league title last season.

The coach admitted that losing the championship on the final day last year was painful for both him and his players, adding that he is determined to avoid a similar scenario this season.

United have made an impressive start to the campaign, winning all five of their matches played to collect 15 points. They currently occupy second place on the log, with a game in hand, having scored 23 goals and conceded only three.

Moodley said his side would approach the weekend fixture aggressively, with goal difference potentially proving decisive in the promotion race.

“We will definitely not go easy on Ebony Fighters because we need the goal average; this is important towards the end of the season. You can see how competitive it is in the top four of the log. So, if it boils down to goal average, Midrand United wants to have a healthy goal average,” he explained.

Ebony Fighters, meanwhile, are looking to turn their fortunes around after a difficult start to the season. Sitting 16th on the log, the side will be hoping to use the encounter against one of the league’s stronger teams as an opportunity to regain confidence.

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Moodley, however, warned against underestimating teams positioned at the bottom of the standings, stating that his players would be expected to establish control early.

“My approach to the league match against Ebony Fighters is that we are going to get early goals and mentally take Ebony Fighters out of the game. So, in the second half of the match, it will be very difficult for them to get back into the game.

“Teams that are sitting at the bottom of the log need to be punished and also not to be taken for granted. Overall, I am certain that Midrand United will get three points this weekend and put the pressure on the undefeated teams,” he said.

Battle at the summit

The promotion race is already shaping up to be a competitive affair, with last season’s third-place finishers Pothos FC leading the standings on 18 points from six matches.

Midrand United are second, while last season’s sixth-place finishers T Wolves FC occupy third place on 12 points, with two matches in hand. All three sides remain unbeaten.

Moodley said the extended league campaign, which features 34 matches, would test the consistency and strength of every competing team.

“The league has started very strongly between three undefeated clubs. It is going to be a very long season. We play 34 matches, and it is going to see which club stands the strongest from all. I always say, ‘It is how you run the race to win the league,'” he explained.

While United have retained much of the squad that finished second last season, Moodley said the club had strengthened its ranks with approximately 11 new signings as it pursues promotion.

Meanwhile, Midrand United’s registrations for the 2027 season are open, with aspiring players from U8 level through to senior teams encouraged to join the club.

Interested players can contact Maduray on 071 646 2130 or email morgan.moodley@gmail.com.

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