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Mangaung Unite are yet to lose a fixture in the 2018-’19 ABC Motsepe League of the Free State stream.
The Bloemfontein side stretched the unbeaten run to 15 matches when they hammered Free State Stars 3 – 1.
The victory saw Mangaung complete the first round of the competition on a high.
Mangaung are topping the log with 41 points. In second place is Bloemfontein Young Tigers, hoping to keep the pressure on the log leaders, and possibly overtake them.
Tigers are in second place with 32 points, while Sibanye Golden Stars are in third position with 31 points.
Mangaung look set to again win the provincial championship and qualify a second time for the promotion play-offs to get to the National First Division (NFD) League.
With the competition in the second round, the 16 clubs in the ABC Motsepe League are expected to give it their all.
Mangaung are hoping to stretch their unbeaten record to 16 games when they face off against Dikwena United in another important fixture at the University of the Free State on Saturday (19/01).
The two clubs became bitter rivals after controversy regarding a fixture last season on 29 April. Dikwena arrived late for their final fixture against Tigers, resulting in the fixture kicking off later than scheduled and plunged the competition into controversy, which saw Safa putting the crowning of Mangaung as the Free State champions on ice.
Dikwena lost the match 1 – 12 to Tigers, who were bound to win with superior goals to be crowned champion ahead of Mangaung. However, after deliberating in the case, Safa’s disciplinary committee threw the book at Dikwena, charging the club for contravention of rule 28.3 regarding late arrival, and ordered them to pay financial penalties.
Mangaung held a strong view the act was foul play by Dikwena in order to benefit Tigers. This was fuelled by Dikwena appealing the verdict despite pleading guilty.
There is a grudge between Mangaung and Dikwena, and Mangaung will strive to avenge the controversy.
