It remains to be seen whether Black Leopards will prove all the critics wrong and collect the maximum league points at the expense of Royal Eagles when they meet in their NFD League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
The mood is good in the Eagles' nest after beating FC Cape Town 3-1 at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg last weekend. On the other hand, Lidoda Duvha have reason to believe that Royal Eagles will be lucky if by chance they manage to go back to Durban with a draw. Black Leopards are still fresh from a 1-1 draw against Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium last weekend. The fact that it was an away fixture for Leopards is a clear indication that Leopards are serious about gaining promotion to the elite league at the end of the season.
Royal Eagles recently acquired the services of the former Bafana Bafana striker, Katlego Mphela. The veteran striker has already proved his worth by scoring in all games he had featured. Black Leopards will pin their hopes on their top strikers, Ruggert Nyundu and Leonard Ntshangase, for goals while their defenders, Lebohang Mabotja and Dunga Munganga, are expected to keep their danger area clean.
FC Cape Town will host Witbank Spurs in Cape Town, while Baroka FC will be away to collect more points against Highlandspark at the Makhulong Stadium in Thembisa.
Sunday will see Amazulu host Vasco da Gama at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban. It will be time for the Zulus to exact revenge for the 0-2 defeat they suffered at the hands of Baroka FC last weekend.
Moroka Swallows will fly to Cape Town where they will test their strength against Milano United at the Athlone Stadium. The match between Mbombela United and Santos will be played at the Kanyamazane Stadium in Nelspruit. Mthatha Bucks will have a date with African Warriors and FC Cape Town will host Thanda Royal Zulu.