GladAfrica Championship: Early days, but the race is on

Admittedly, these are still early days in the GladAfrica Championship title race but after passing the half-way mark, there is a seductive temptation to keep one eye on the log standings.
As things stand (on the GladAfrica Championship log), Uthongathi are still on pole with 34 points from 18 games.
The top spot of the log has been a contested affair. Ajax Cape Town and Uthongathi FC have been involved in a Ping-Pong game trading places with frequency.
Uthongathi have been credited with not only winning but playing appetising football this season under coach Johnny Ferreira.
Ajax Cape Town – the former Absa Premiership outfit – are second, two points shy from the summit (32 points). The Cape side have a game in hand – something that some might see as an advantage.
While the two have been front runners so far, there are a number of teams who have put up their hand in the contest with Steenberg United FC – only on their first few months in the GladAfrica Championship – making an assertive claim for the top honours. Steenberg United, who stunned Ajax Cape Town a fortnight ago and also beat another favourites Real King this past weekend, have been quietly going about their business. They are currently third with 32 points – tied with second – but with a slightly inferior goal difference.
Swallows FC, currently fourth, had a slow start under former coach Zeca Marques but the arrival of former Richards Bay FC mentor Brandon Truter has seemingly brought a breath of fresh air at Dobsonville Stadium. They are on 30 points – a mere four points off the log leaders.
Tshakhuma FC, another side that made a last minute bid for promotion last season, complete the top five with 29 points. The arrival of well-travelled coach Vladislav Heric seem to have brought a stabilising effect to the Thohoyandou-based outfit.
At the bottom, the fight for survival is heating up. Royal Eagles, Jomo Cosmos, Mbombela United, TS Sporting, Richards Bay and TS Galaxy all occupy the bottom half of the log.
Royal Eagles, rooted at the bottom in the log, have a lot of work to do with 13 points from 18 matches. Jomo Cosmos are 15th with 16 points from the same number of matches.