Richard Nkosi

Richard Nkosi

Batau Killers and Barberton City Stars started this season in the Mpumalanga Vodacom League on a high but they seem to have run out of steam at the weekend when they dropped three valuable points.

Killers went down 2-0 to Yorkcor United while Stars succumbed 1-0 to fast-improving Winners.

Thing are now tight at the top of the log with only eight points separating the top seven clubs.

With less than 12 games to go, and two places for Mpumalanga available at the playoffs, the provincial league is expected to reach its climax in the near future.

Killers, who lead the pack with 39 points after 20 games, lost the provincial crown last season by three points to Aces Academy. Mandla Mshololo, Killers' coach, said they have learnt a lesson from last season's failure to gain promotion.

"This season we want to ensure that we collect maximum in all our remaining matches," he said.

Second placed Stars, with 36 points after 18 games, know what it's like to be crowned champions, having done so twice, only to succumb in the national playoffs.

Aaron "Squash" Shongwe, Stars' coach, said: "We are going win the league and that is beyond doubt."