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By Sibongiseni Gumbi

Football Writer


NFD wrap: Teams close the year with a bagful of goals

The National First Division (NFD) drew to an explosive end of the first round with 27 goals scored in the last matches before the summer break.


Real Kings’ Nkosingiphile Phewa increased his tally to eight with a brace as they sank University of Pretoria on Saturday.

Ubuntu Cape Town’s Ranga Chivariro also scored a brace but it was not enough to help his side avoid defeat to a revitalised Royal Eagles.

Richards Bay 2 (K. Madondo; G. Rolf) Black Leopards 1
Khulekani Madondo and Gregory Rolf were the heroes as the Rich Boys finally got it right and earned their second win of the season which moved them to 14th position. They are however not safe from relegation yet.

Mbombela United 0 Uthongathi 0
The Cane Cutters did really well to secure a point away to one of the division’s form sides in Tingwenyama. The point put them on 17, three behind the team in eighth position and should serve as motivation going into the next round in the New Year.

Witbank Spurs 3 (K. Zwane; G. Debouto; P. Mubayiwa) Stellenbosch 1 (I. Reyners)
Iqraam Reyners look to have set Stellies on their way when he opened the scoring early in the match but it was not to be as a resilient Siyavutha came back and thrashed them 3-1. Khethukuthula Zwane led from the front when he equalised and Ghislain Debouto and Peter Mubayiwa followed suit with a goal each.

Tshakhuma 3 (D. Mathebula; S. Mulovhedzi; T. Ndlovu) Super Eagles 3 (M. Mokoena; T. Selepe x2)
It rained goals at Thohoyandou Stadium as Super Eagles continued their admirable run, forcing Tshakhuma to a draw. David Mathebula, Shandukani Mulovhedzi and Themba Ndlovu scored for the home side while Molebedu Mokoena and Thapelo Selepe were the scorers for Eagles, with former scoring twice.

AmaTuks 2 (M. Khwinana; T. Reed) Real Kings 3 (P. Bhengu; N. Phewa x2)
Nkosingiphile Phewa continued his magical scoring run when he helped the Magic Boys to ear the three points away to a resilient AmaTuks. It Phumelele Bhengu however who equalised from the penalty spot after Mogau Khwinana had put AmaTuks in the lead. Phewa came back firing on all cylinders for the second half and scored two more while Tebogo Reed’s goal could not help Tuks avoid defeat at home.

Royal Eagles 4 (M. Mncube x2; N. Zulu; D. Tau) Ubuntu TC 2 (R. Chivariro x2)
Kosta Papic is back and Eagles have found their scoring boots again and pummelled fellow strugglers to a 4-2 defeat. Mazwi Mncube scored a brace and Nkosi Zulu and Percy Tau’s brother Dumisani also scored. Ranga Chivaviro scored a brace but it was not enough.

Highlands Park 0 CT All Stars 0
Perhaps the Lions of the North were in festive and giving mood as they gifted Igugu leKapa a point which has seen them lose their four point lead cut to two.

Jomo Cosmos 2 (T. Thlolane; T. Makobela) Mthatha Bucks 1 (M. Chili)
Ezenkosi continued their charge and cut thepoints deficit between them and leaders Highlands Park to just two as they beat embattled Mthatha Bucks 2-1. Tebogo “Messi” Thlolane took the first stab and Tebogo Makobela followed suit. Menzi Chili’s goal proved to be nothing but just consolation for Amathol’amnyama.

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