THE STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL CONTINUES AS BIZANA PONDO CHIEFS DROPS MORE POINTS AT HOME AGAINST POLOKWANE CITY AND FREE STATE STARS

By: Mawande Genu

 

The Lions of Skoomplas drop more points at home this week as the battle for survival in the Gladafrica Championship reaches crunch point. The Bizana outfit played to a one all draw against Free State Stars FC on Saturday, 24 April 2021 as hopes of survival seem slip way with each game. The Lions of Skoomplas came to the game at the back of a two-nil drubbing by Polokwane City FC at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday, 21 April 2021.

In the game against Free State Stars, it was the visitors who drew first blood in the 34th minute of the first stanza with a goal from Mpho Makhabane as matters worsened for the ABC Motsepe League champions. Luyanda Mbheje pulled a goal back to level the score for the home side in the 40^th minute and saved their blushes as the game ended with the spoils being shared.

The game against Free Sate Stars came at a critical time for the struggling Lions of Skoomplas after they suffered a humiliating defeat at home by a merciless Rise Shine team who were out for blood at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday.

The Bizana outfit remains rooted at the bottom of the long with only 20 points from 25 games as they have only managed four wins, eight draws and thirteen loses. Their record on the road has been nothing short of horrible having only managed one win with the rest from the three points collected from home games.

Their last five fixtures see them (Bizana Pondo Chiefs) travel to Ezenkosi (Jomo Cosmos) on Friday, 30 April 2021 with the game schedule to kick off at 15h00 CAT before they face Cape Town All Stars at home on Wednesday, 5 May 2021. They will then face Polokwane City away from home at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium followed by a home game against Pretoria Callies at King Zwelithini Stadium and close their Gladafrica Championship season away from home against the Cane Cutters, Uthongathi FC.

The Lions of Skoomplas are only left with fifteen points to hunt for survival with nine of those points having to come from away games making it very difficult for the Hunters given their away record. Coach Larsen’s charges seat seven points away from the safety zone and now are in need of a miracle to avoid the ex.