After sharing the spoils with United Artists, with whom they played to a goalless draw in their ABC Motsepe League match at the Malamulele Stadium last Saturday, another uphill battle awaits Mpheni Defenders this Saturday. They will host the other league-title chasers, Maruleng Celtic, at the Mpheni Grounds.
The winner of Saturday's match is likely to lift the league trophy at the end of the season. Mpheni Defenders are still leading the pack, despite failing to collect the full points last Saturday. They have gathered 15 points from seven matches to date. Celtic are in the third position with 13 points from the same number of matches.
Celtic are sharpened to kill after collecting the maximum points in their match against Musina United, whom they beat 2-1 at the Drakensberg Stadium outside Phalaborwa last Saturday. Celtic retained several experienced players after buying the ABC Motsepe League franchise from Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC at the end of last season.
Musina United must beat Munaca FC if they are serious about escaping the relegation axe at the end of the season when they meet at the Makhado Show Grounds. Winners Park will host Vondwe XI Bullets at the Westfalia Stadium outside Tzaneen. The match between Madridtas FC and United Artists will be played at the Tshifudi Stadium.
The other fixtures are Emmanuel FC vs Giyani Happy Boys, Mokopane PJ Stars vs Nkowankowa Continentals, The Dolphins FC vs Tubatse United, Mighty FC vs Eleven Fast Tigers, and Tzaneen United vs Sun Rise FC.