The pressure has reached boiling point for local teams competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. For Black Leopards, it is a case of no more errors. A single slip will see them tumble into relegation to a lower division.
At the time of going to press, Leopards were awaiting the outcome of the midweek match between VFC and Milford FC. Milford are strong contenders for the league title and would have made every effort to secure victory at Thohoyandou Stadium.
The visitors from Durban would have remained in Vhembe to prepare for their match against Black Leopards at the same venue on Saturday.
Milford will be eager to secure a victory on Saturday, as that would boost their chances of promotion to the country’s top league. For Leopards, however, the situation is far more desperate. With only four matches left in the season, they need wins to escape the dreaded relegation axe.
Although Leopards have collected seven points from their last three matches, they are still second from bottom on the log with 25 points. Leopards beat University of Pretoria 1-0 at Thohoyandou Stadium two weeks ago and defeated Casric Stars 2-0 at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga last Friday, before playing to a goalless draw with The Bees FC at Thohoyandou Stadium on Tuesday.
The good news for Black Leopards is that the team’s Namibian striker, Bethuel Muzeu, who has been out of action for three weeks, is likely to pass a late fitness test. Should he be available for selection on Saturday, Muzeu is expected to combine well with Donald Mudau and Kamogelo Ngwane up front.
The situation is also far from comfortable in the Venda Football Club camp. They will travel to Durban, where they will face Midlands Wanderers at Princess Magogo Stadium. The team is also precariously close to the danger zone on the log and cannot afford to relax.
The other fixtures are Leicesterford City vs Casric Stars, Baroka FC vs Kruger United, Gomora United vs Hungry Lions, and Upington City vs University of Pretoria.