Playoff places on the line, relegation threatens in KZN leagues
The regular phase of the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSA) Coastal and Inland A-Leagues is nearing its conclusion, with two matches remaining for each of the sides before the knockout stage.
The teams that finish first and second in the standings will then face off in the title games of the Coastal and Inland A-Leagues.
The teams at the bottom of the table will be relegated to the B-leagues.
Coastal A
There should be fireworks on Tuesday at Queensburgh High School where table-topping Westville Boys’ High takes on relegation-threatened Northwood School. For different reasons, they’re both desperate to win.
Westville has accumulated 13 points, and they need a win to keep hold of their top-of-the-log status, with two teams within a point of the Griffin.
Northwood is in dire need of a win to escape the relegation zone and, with only two matches remaining, time is running out for the Knights to make a move.
They’re in eighth place, with only one point from a draw thus far. In Westville, they go up against a well-organised, in-form team. Nevertheless, Northwood needs to find a way to take something out of the contest.
A victory could elevate them to seventh place if Bechet Secondary School loses to a Glenwood High team that has hit its stride in recent weeks.
Bechet currently has two points after five matches, with three losses and two draws. Glenwood, sitting in third place, will be eager to move up a place, at least, to secure a place in the final.
Hillcrest High, who have been enjoying their football this year, is set to face the sixth-placed Empangeni High School. Newcomers to the Coastal A-League, Empangeni, also find themselves in the elimination zone.
Their fate will depend on the outcomes of their next two matches. Should Bechet and Northwood win their remaining games and Empangeni loses theirs, the Zululand school could find itself back in the Coastal B-League in 2026.
On the other hand, Hillcrest High – despite their coach, Cayle Marillier telling SuperSport Schools Plus in April that his players are solely focused on enjoying their football – is likely keeping a keen eye on the standings. If they keep winning, they, too, could find themselves in the final of the Coastal A-League.
Port Shepstone High has been relatively subdued in recent weeks after suffering consecutive losses against Westville and Glenwood. They started the season with three significant victories, without conceding a goal, but it has been tough sledding in their recent outings against title-contending teams.
Sheppie, though, remains in position to push for a top two finish. They’re three points adrift of Hillcrest and Glenwood, with nine to their name. On Tuesday, Port Shepstone tackles Pinetown Boys’ High, who are fifth in the standings, just below them.
Inland A
In the Inland A-League, there is a strong possibility that the 2025 final may be a repeat of the 2024 final, which featured Carter High and Maritzburg College.
It’s a fierce Pietermaritzburg derby. When those teams meet, it is always a high energy, exciting clash. They’re best positioned to claim the top two places, but there are still two games to be played.
On Tuesday, Maritzburg College hosts Linpark, on Barns Field. The Red, Black, and White won’t be taking the challenge lightly. Linpark is in fourth place on the log, with seven points, and tied with third-placed Edendale Technical High, who also have seven points, but a better goal differential.
College, no doubt, recognises the threat posed by Carter High, which is the defending champion of the Inland A-League. Carter, on 11 points, is just two adrift of the leaders.
They will fancy their chances against Haythorne Secondary, on Tuesday, with Haythorne propping up the table, having secured just two points from their five matches. Under threat of relegation, Haythorne will be eager to pull off the upset.
Edendale, which was promoted from the Inland B-League to the Inland A-League this season, has proved they’re a formidable opponent. They can boost their points’ total to 10 with a win over Alexandra High.
Two teams under pressure to maintain their places in the Inland A-League, Ixopo Secondary and Newton, also meet on Tuesday. Newton holds a one-point advantage over Ixopo. They’re in sixth, with four points, while Ixopo, in seventh, could rise above Newton with a win.
FIXTURES
Coastal A
Westville vs Northwood
Bechet vs Glenwood
Hillcrest vs Empangeni
Pinetown vs Port Shepstone
Inland A
Linpark vs Maritzburg College
Haythorne vs Carter
Alexandra High School A vs Edendale
Ixopo vs Newton
Wednesday, 28 May: Inland C
AB Jackson
15:00 – Umvuzo vs Maritzburg College C
16:05 – Newtown B vs Michaelhouse
Thursday, 29 May: Coastal B
Queensburgh High School
Field 1
15:10 – Amanzimtoti vs Durban High School
16:15 – New Forest vs Sastri
Field 2
15:10 – Queensburgh High School vs Redwood
16:10 – Grosvenor vs Ashton Ballito A
Friday, 30 May: Coastal C
Queensburgh High School
Field 1
15:10 – Canaan College vs Durban Academy
16:15 – Ashton Ballito B vs Birdswood
Field 2
15:10 – Brettonwood vs George Campbell
Thursday, 29 May: Inland B
Alexandra High School
Field 1
15:00 – Alexandra High School B vs Maritzburg College B
16:05 – ML Sultan vs Thornhill
Field 2
15:00 – Maritzburg Christian School vs Heritage Academy
16:05 – Northbury Park vs Riverwood
Friday, 30 May: Inland C
AB Jackson
Field 1
15:00 – Newtown B vs Maritzburg College C
16:05 – Michaelhouse vs Umvuzo
