/ 22 April 2000

Relegation-haunted AmaZulu in key clash

ANDREW MUCHINERIPI, Bloemfontein | Saturday 7.00pm

WITH the Castle Premiership all but won by Sundowns and Mother City certain to go down, the battles for BP Top 8 places and to avoid being relegated take centre stage on Sunday.

Famous Durban club AmaZulu are most precariously placed, lying second last on the standings with 30 points and three of their remaining four fixtures are away from the Indian Ocean city.

They host fellow-strugglers Bush Bucks at Kings Park on Sunday and nothing less than victory will keep alive their hopes of avoiding what would be the blackest hour in the history of the Usuthu.

Clubs competing in the Premier Soccer League are guaranteed 200,000 rand a month while those campaigning in the MTN First Division receive 5,000 rand. Becoming rich is an option available only to Premiership inhabitants.

AmaZulu enter the match in good spirits after walloping Mother City 5-0 in midweek. Former Bafana Bafana striker Pollen Ndlanya struck four goals to equal the PSL scoring record for an individual in a match.

Bucks impressed when eliminating Orlando Pirates from the Bob Save Super Bowl last weekend, maintaining discipline and shape under pressure and counter attacking with considerable menace.

Bloemfontein Celtic are fourth from the bottom with 33 points and no less desperate for victory, which is unlikely to come easy against in-form Jomo Cosmos at Free State Stadium.

Classic face Kaizer Chiefs at PAM Brink Stadium in Springs, Moroka Swallows entertain Ajax Cape Town at Rand Stadium and Hellenic face African Wanderers at Greenpoint Stadium in other league fixtures.