After a two-week break, teams affiliated with the Motsepe Foundation Championship League will return to action this weekend. One match is scheduled for Friday evening, four for Saturday afternoon, and the remaining three for Sunday.
Black Leopards are preparing for a tough encounter against Upington City, whom they will face at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday. Lidoda Duvha's captain, Thendo Mukumela, will watch from the grandstand as he is serving a suspension for his red card in their game against Cape Town Spurs on 3 November. In Mukumela's absence, players such as Tebogo Thangwane, Amukelani Chauke, and Tebogo Makobela will be expected to step up.
At the time of our going to press, it was unclear whether Leopards' playmaker, Thabana Mabena, would pass a late fitness test. Mabena had to be stretchered off with a knee injury during their match against Kruger United at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday, 9 November. If Mabena is unavailable, Donald Makgetlwa is likely to take his place.
Black Leopards need to collect maximum points in this match to keep their title hopes alive. The Thohoyandou side currently sits in fourth place with 18 points, five behind league leaders Milford FC. In their last match, Leopards were unexpectedly held to a goalless draw by newcomers Kruger United.
A win would likely see Leopards move up to second place in the standings. However, underestimating Upington City would be a costly mistake. Upington City currently occupy sixth place with 15 points. Their most recent match, played a fortnight ago, ended in a 0-1 defeat to Milford FC at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban.