The Motsepe Foundation Championship League programme for the current soccer season will come to an end on Sunday, with attention shifting to the battle for the two promotional playoff places.
While Kruger United have already secured promotion to the Betway Premiership and the relegation of Baroka FC and Black Leopards has been confirmed, four teams are still fighting to secure playoff spots. Milford FC, Cape Town City, Hungry Lions and Casric Stars remain in contention heading into the final round of fixtures.
Baroka’s relegation was confirmed three weeks ago, while Lidoda Duvha’s fate was sealed when they lost 1-0 to Milford FC at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday, 25 April.
Despite having only pride to play for, Black Leopards are determined to finish their disappointing campaign on a positive note when they face Lerumo Lions at Olympia Stadium in Rustenburg on Sunday afternoon.
One of Leopards’ co-coaches, Duncan Lechesa, said the team wanted to end the season “with a bang”. He admitted, however, that the absence of Namibian international Bethuel Muzeu remains a concern. Muzeu has been sidelined for about two months with an injury.
Lechesa said players such as Carnel Cameron, Junior Musekwa and Simphiwe Sithole would be expected to step up in Muzeu’s absence. Cameron came on as a substitute for Mwape Musonda in Leopards’ last match against Venda Football Club (VFC), whom they beat 2-1 at Thohoyandou Stadium last Sunday.
Meanwhile, all roads will lead to Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday afternoon when VFC host Highbury FC in their final fixture of the season.
Both teams will be looking to bounce back after suffering defeats last weekend. Highbury were hammered 4-0 by Hungry Lions at Gelvandale Stadium in Gqeberha, while VFC went down 2-1 to Black Leopards.
VFC head coach Clinton Larsen believes Highbury will “pay” for his side’s defeat against Leopards. He said a victory over Highbury would not only help the club finish the season in a respectable position, but would also serve as a gift to the team’s supporters.
Should VFC collect maximum points on Sunday, they could move up to sixth place on the log. They are currently ninth with 36 points, while Highbury occupy sixth position with 39 points. Highbury’s position on the log will remain unchanged regardless of the outcome.
Elsewhere, Cape Town City must beat Leicesterford City at Dobsonville Stadium to strengthen their chances of securing a promotional playoff place. City are third on the log with 51 points, two behind second-placed Milford FC.
The other fixtures scheduled for Sunday are Baroka FC versus Upington City, Casric Stars against Gomora United, Hungry Lions versus Milford FC and Kruger United against The Bees FC.