We get nervous when playing at home – Mdabuka
Maccabi FC midfielder Ndiviwe Mdabuka believes the pressure of home fans gets the better of the team and that is why the side doesn’t do as well as they are expected in home games. In the six wins the side has registered, only three were at home with five defeats and two draws. Away, Maccabi have five wins, three defeats and two draws.
Ndiviwe Mdabuka of Vasco and Cuthbert Malajila of Sundowns during the Nedbank Cup, Semi Final match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Vasco Da Gama at Lucas Moripe Stadium on April 26, 2015 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
“It is baffling,” said Mdabuka. “But I think it is because there is less pressure when we play away. But when we are home maybe we get a bit nervous because we know we have to win in front of our own supporters,” added the 27-year-old former Ajax cape Town player.
He will be hoping that their away record continues when they visit Cape Umoya United in Cape Town on Monday afternoon. Umoya have been doing well under Dominic Isaacs and could pose a serious threat to Joel Masutha’s side.
Other matches
Saturday
TS Sporting v Jomo Cosmos, at Kabokweni Stadium, 3.30pm
TS Sporting have been struggling in the past few weeks and remain winless in seven games which has seen them slip behind in the promotion race. Ezenkosi have also struggled in recent times and will be looking to curn their losing streak against Benson Mhlongo’s Abantu Bemthetho.
Mbombela United v University of Pretoria, at KaNyamazane Stadium, 3.30pm
Tingwenyama are trailing leaders Stellenbosch by five points and will not want to slip any further. But Milton Dlamini’s side will have to be at their best against AmaTuks who can be a force on their day but have been inconsistent.
Witbank Spurs v Real Kings, at Puma Rugby Stadium, 3.30pm
Having registered his first win last weekend, new Siyavutha coach Shakes Mashaba will hope the fire was reignited and the side will now beging their climb away from the bottom of the standings with another win on Saturday. It is interestingly a bottom of the table battle and could see the magic Boys go bottom of the standings should they lose and depending on other results.
Sunday
TS Galaxy v Tshakhuma, at Kameelrivier Stadium, 3.30pm
The Rockets have been doing well at home but their winning rate is still not where it should be for a side who enjoy massive support and play some attractive and attacking football. Tshakhuma have struggled in recent weeks which has seen management give coach Sello Chokoe an ultimatum. Perhaps new striker Phumelele Bengu will make some difference.
Royal Eagles v Richards Bay, at Chatsworth Stadium, 3.30pm
Eagles roped in actor Andile Mxakaza, better known as Fezile in Isibaya, as their fitness trainer this week in an effort to get ready to launch a late campaign for promotion. The side have been doing well in recent weeks but could find the going tough against the Natal Rich Boys who have been hitting hot and cold all season long.
Stellenbosch v Ajax CT at Idas Valley Sports Ground, 3.30pm
Steve Barker’s side have been looking good for an early title win but their defeat to Richards Bay last weekend put a spanner in the works for them. They come up against an Urban Warriors side who are high on confidence following a run of good results.
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