This weekend marks the starting point for the league activities of the teams falling under the auspices of the Limpopo Stream of the ABC Motsepe League. Most of the matches will be played on Saturday afternoon, while only three are scheduled for Friday afternoon.
Sparks are expected to fly when Mpheni Home Defenders host United Artists at the Louis Trichardt High School Grounds on Saturday. This will be the first league match for United Artists in the higher division, following their promotion from the SAB League at the end of last season.
According to the managing director of United Artists, Mr Thikhedzo Mashau, things continued as usual in their camp after playing their promotional playoff matches in Polokwane about three months ago. He said that, judging by their performance in their rehearsal games the past few weeks, he was convinced that his team was ready to absorb any amount of heat.
Some of the players who are expected to give Home Defenders a tough time include Rendani Mukomafhedzi and Ndamulelo Mathoni. Home Defenders are the defending league champions.
Giyani Happy Boys will host Bellevue Winners Park at the Shikukwani Stadium outside Giyani. Winners Park are still trying to assemble a squad after buying the ABC Motsepe League franchise from Ablex United recently.
Mikhado FC will do battle with Vondwe XI Bullets at the Rabali Stadium. Musina United will travel to Louis Trichardt. Their match against Munaca FC will be played at the Makhado Show Grounds. Eleven Fast Tigers and Tubatse United FC will test each other's strength at the Turfloop Stadium outside Polokwane.
The three fixtures scheduled for Friday afternoon are Ditlou FC vs Tzaneen United, Mighty FC vs The Dolphins FC and Phinnet City vs PJ Stars.