体坛英语新闻：Critical weekend in South Africa's soccer title race

JOHANNESBURG, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Kaizer Chiefs have a seemingly easy game against Mpumalanga Black Aces, but the relegation-threatened side could sting them as the critical weekend comes in South Africa's Premier League title race.

The league's tightrope title race involving no fewer than four clubs may not be decided this weekend, but after three days of destiny one or more teams could fall out of contention with a resounding thud and the intriguing issue generally might emerge a great deal clearer.

It's all so close right now between fractional log leaders Orlando Pirates, Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs that a mere three points separate the four clubs and Pirates only head Ajax by a mere goal difference superiority of two goals.

A goal here or there could therefore decide the fascinating issue with four rounds of fixtures still to be completed and Ajax up against Golden Arrows at Newlands Stadium on Friday night; Sundowns away to AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday afternoo6n; Chiefs facing bottom-of-the-log Black Aces at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday night and Pirates completing the championship merry-go-round when they face Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Sunday afternoon.

And a further ironical twist is that while Sundowns with 51 points trail Pirates and Ajax by two points, they have comfortably the best goal difference of the four aspirant champions and would be well-placed if the issue is finally decided by this mode.

Chiefs, by virtue of their position three points behind Pirates and Ajax, might appear to have the easiest game over the weekend against a team seemingly doomed to relegation, but the Mpumalanga side have upset even Pirates this season and will be performing, no doubt, with an element of dangerous desperation.

And while the championship battle will obviously enjoy the glare of publicity this weekend, Maritzburg United and Moroka Swallows, in particular, might feel the issue of survival in the Premier League which is a burning issue for them as they attempt to avoid the precarious second-bottom position in the log as even more important than title glory.

Maritzburg, a couple of points better off in the log table than Swallows, face Wits University at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night and The Birds tackle Vasco da Gama at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday afternoon with both the relegation-threatened teams enjoying home-ground advantage.

And by Sunday night it will be evident which of the clubs involved in these vital matches will be savouring a measure of happiness from their blood and sweat, but hopefully no tears encounters.