Black Leopards head coach Zeca Marques is confident that his team will secure all three points when they face Upington City in a Motsepe Foundation Championship League match at Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium next Wednesday.
Marques emphasised that everyone in the Leopards' camp understands the importance of a victory as failure to beat City could jeopardise their chances of securing a spot in the promotional playoffs—let alone gaining automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership.
A win against City could see Leopards climb from eighth to fourth on the log standings. The team has accumulated 27 points so far, just three fewer than fourth-placed Kruger United.
However, Leopards will be without left back Siphelele Magubane, who is still recovering from an injury sustained in their match against JDR Stars. Either Ndivhuwo "Segere" Ravhuhali or Amukelani Chauke is expected to fill his position. Should Chauke be given the nod, he will likely form a solid defensive combination with Tshepo Matsimbi and Sydney Fakude.
Despite their current 11th-place standing, Upington City still have an outside chance of finishing among the top three teams.
Meanwhile, Venda Football Club will take on Cape Town Spurs at Thohoyandou Stadium, while log leaders Durban City will face Orbit College at the Chatsworth Stadium. Other fixtures include Highbury vs Leruma United, JDR Stars vs University of Pretoria, Milford FC vs Hungry Lions, Pretoria Callies vs Casric Stars, and Kruger United vs Baroka FC.