With eight matches remaining in the Motsepe Foundation Championship League season, Black Leopards are still uncertain whether they will secure a place in the promotional playoffs. Despite collecting four vital points in their last two matches, Lidoda Duvha currently sit in seventh position on the log.
Leopards claimed a crucial 1-0 victory over Upington City at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington last Wednesday (12 March). Their clash against Hungry Lions FC at the same venue last Saturday ended in a 2-2 draw.
While a spot in the promotional playoffs - and even automatic promotion to the top league - remains a possibility, Leopards face a daunting challenge in their final eight matches. Four of their remaining fixtures will be played at home, while the other four will be away. Their next game is a home fixture against Baroka FC at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday, 29 March. They will also host Venda Football Club, Highbury FC, and the University of Pretoria FC.
Their away fixtures include clashes against Kruger United, Milford FC, Casric Stars, and Durban City. A quick glance at the league standings suggests that their toughest encounters will likely be against Kruger United and Durban City. Durban City currently lead the log with 42 points, while Kruger United sit in second place with 36 points.
Leopards' head coach, Zeca Marques, remains optimistic that his team will collect enough points to secure a promotional playoff spot by the end of the season.