Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

After spying on Witbank Spurs' match against Winnerspark in Seshego last Sunday, FC AK coach Ali Akan admitted that it would not be easy for them to beat Spurs tomorrow.

Bahumi host Spurs in a National First Division match at Eldorado Park Stadium, hoping to strengthen their grip on top of the Inland Stream log. Kickoff is at 3.30pm.

The controversy-plagued FC AK are leading the pack by five points and are the bookies' bet to qualify for the promotion playoffs in June.

All the teams in the NFD are left with five matches and their officials are trying hard to motivate the players to either qualify for the playoffs or avoid relegation at the end of the season.

This week Bay United chairman Sipho Pityana pledged R1 million to the players and technical staff to motivate them to win promotion.

United are in the driver's seat in the Coastal Stream, where they lead Maritzburg United by one point.

Akan said after the Winnerspark-Spurs clash: "Spurs are a good team and we will have to triple our efforts to beat them.

"We will continue to pull out all the stops to ensure that we feature in the playoffs.

"We are also guarding against complacency."

FC AK will also meet Winnerspark in one of their other remaining matches.

Themba Mafu, Spurs' co-director, said they would not be intimidated by FC AK's position on the log.

"We will fight them in their own backyard," he warned.

Akan will pin his hopes on seasoned campaigners such as Elasto Kapowezha, Boitumelo Moleyane and Nhlanhla Sithole.

Spurs, who are guided by Harry Nkosi, will rely on the experience of their new signing, Frank "Disco" Makua, who is expected to make his debut for the Mpumalanga club against FC AK.

Fixtures:

Inland Stream

Tomorrow

Eldorado Park: FC AK v Spurs (3.30pm)

Sunday

NkowaNkowa: Dynamos v University of Pretoria (3.30pm); Caledonian: GaRankuwa United v African Warriors (3.30pm); Atlantic Stadium: Mpumalanga Black Aces v Winnerspark (3.30pm)

Coastal Stream

Today

Vygieskraal: Hanover Park v Maritzburg United (8pm)

Tomorrow

Wolfson: Bay United v Durban Stars (3pm); Erica Park: Ikapa Sporting v Western Province United (3pm); King Zwelithini: Nathi Lions v FC Cape Town (3pm).