The much-awaited Vhembe derby between Black Leopards and Venda Football Club (VFC) will be played at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Leopards must be regarded as the slim favourites in this clash. Lidoda Duvha is in top form, following the appointment of Malawian national Mr Peter Mponda to the position of head coach and his assistant, Mr Solly Luvhengo, about five weeks ago. Leopards were in the second-to-last position on the log standings when the duo took over, but since then, the team has won four matches.
Whether the defenders of VFC will have enough strength to stop Leopards' strikers, Bethuel Muzeu and Mahlatse Leso, remains to be seen. Leopards' right-back, Tebogo Makobela, will watch the game from the grandstand. He is still under suspension after he was red-carded in their home game against Maritzburg United last Tuesday. The likes of Tshepo Matsimbi, Thendo Mukumela, and Amukelani Chauke will be expected to do the job in the absence of Makobela.
Black Leopards, however, will be in for a big surprise if they underestimate VFC on Saturday. VFC had risen to the occasion and beaten Magesi FC 2-0 at Malamulele Stadium last Saturday. The newly appointed head coach of VFC, Mr Duncan Lechesa, will be shouting instructions to the players from the team's technical bench for the first time on Saturday. Lechesa was appointed to the team's hot seat on Monday this week. VFC will pin their hopes on Babatunde Adepoju, Tatenda Tavengwa, and Kgothatso Mariba for goals.
The other weekend fixtures are JDR Stars vs. Casric Stars, NB La Masia vs. Maritzburg United, Hungry Lions vs. Magesi FC, Marumo Gallants vs. Pretoria Callies, Orbit College vs. Baroka FC, University of Pretoria vs. Platinum City Rovers, and Upington City vs. Milford FC.