This weekend marks the starting point of the new season for the affiliates of the National First Division League (NFD). The NFD has four new faces this season. Mbombela United from Mpumalanga and Mthatha Bucks from the Eastern Cape were promoted from the ABC Motsepe Promotional League while Moroka Swallow and Amazulu were relegated from the Absa Premiership.
Six matches will be played tomorrow, while two are scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Black Leopards will play their opening match at the Thohoyandou Stadium tomorrow afternoon. They will host the Cape Town side, Milano United. According to the spokesperson of Black Leopards, Mr Berry Ramunenyiwa, their aim is to start the new season on a high note.
When asked about the new faces which the supporters are likely to see tomorrow, Mr Ramunenyiwa revealed that they had acquired the services of a number of skillful players including the two strikers, Thembisani Nevhulamba from Joe Express and Norman Mbedzi from Begwa FC. Nevhulamba will form a deadly combination with Ruggert Nyundu and Sphelele Ntshangase at the forefront, if given a chance.
Ntshangase and Nyundu were the team's top goal scorers last season, despite the fact that Nyundu joined the club in January this year on loan from Polokwane City. Mr Ramunenyiwa appealed to the fans to buy their admission tickets from Computicket, saying no ticket would be sold at the stadium. The game is scheduled to start at 15:00.
Amazulu will host Witbank Spurs at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban. Amazulu recently tried in vain to purchase the Absa Premiership status from Mpumalanga Black Aces after facing relegation from the Absa Premiership last season. Moroka Swallows will fly to Cape Town, where they will play against Cape Town All Stars at the Athlone Stadium.
FC Cape Town will entertain African Warriors at the NNK Rugby Stadium in Cape Town. Royal Eagles will have a date with Highlandspark at the Makhulong Stadium in Thembisa. The newly promoted Mbombela United will rub shoulders with Thanda Royal Zulu at the Kanyamazane Stadium in Nelspruit.