Black Leopards are confident they will secure victory against Leruma United in their Motsepe Foundation Championship League match at the Tshwane University Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.
A win for Lidoda Duvha would significantly boost their promotional hopes. Leopards currently sit in eighth position with 23 points, trailing log leaders Durban City by eight points. A victory on Saturday could see them climb to fifth place on the table.
It remained uncertain at the time of our going to press whether Leopards' left-back, Siphelele Magubane, would pass a late fitness test. Magubane sustained a knee injury and had to be stretchered off during their home match against Orbit College FC two weeks ago. Should he be unavailable, either Ndivhuwo "Segere" Ravhuhali or Amukelani Chauke is expected to fill the position.
Leopards' head coach, Maxwell Konadu, expressed optimism about returning from the capital with maximum points. He acknowledged the potential threat posed by Leruma United, describing them as a "dying horse whose last kick is always dangerous." Leruma United are currently battling relegation, sitting at the bottom of the log with just 10 points from 16 matches.
Konadu emphasised that his team would not underestimate Leruma, despite their precarious position. Leruma have suffered five consecutive defeats, with their last win dating back to 20 October 2024, when they edged Casric Stars 1-0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium outside Pretoria.
In an effort to strengthen their technical team, Leruma recently appointed former Moroka Swallows player Musa Nyatama. Nyatama vowed that history would not repeat itself, referring to Leopards' 2-0 victory over Leruma in their first-round clash at the Thohoyandou Stadium on 31 August last year.